GLOVEBOX GUIDE FOR MANAGING FERAL PIGS

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publication series Website: www.pestsmart.org.au Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication has been prepared with care and This publication is licensed under a Creative is based on knowledge and understanding at Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence, the time of writing). Some of the information except for photographic and graphical images in this document is provided by third parties, contained within it. Photographs and other and all information is provided “as is”, without graphical material must not be acquired, warranty of any kind, to the extent permitted stored, copied, displayed and printed or by law. After publication, circumstances may otherwise reproduced — including by electronic change and before relying on this information means — for any purpose unless prior written the user needs to take care to update as permission has been obtained from the necessary. copyright owner. Copyright of photographs and other graphical material is variously NO PRODUCT PREFERENCES: The product owned by Invasive Animals Ltd, individuals and trade names in this publication are supplied on corporate entities. For further details, please the understanding that no preference between contact the Communications Manager, Invasive equivalent products is intended and that the Animals Ltd. inclusion of a product name does not imply endorsement over any equivalent product from The Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 another manufacturer. International licence allows you to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt material in ALWAYS READ THE LABEL: Users of this publication, subject to the exception for agricultural or veterinary chemical products photographic and other graphic material set must always read the label and any permit, out above, and provided you attribute the work before using a product, and must strictly as shown below. The licence does not transfer comply with the directions on the label and ownership of the copyright. the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions A summary of the licence terms is at: on the label or the conditions of the permit by https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ reason of any statement made or not made in © Invasive Animals Ltd this publication.

Citation: Koichi K and Halliday D, Harris C (ed) (2020). Glovebox Guide for Managing Feral Pigs v2.0. PestSmart Toolkit publication. The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Canberra, ACT

Print ISBN: 978-1-921777-97-4 Web ISBN: 978-1-921777-98-1

Published by: The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions

The original creation and update of this publication was funded with thanks to the following:

2 Contents

About this guide...... 4 LEARN...... 5–11

PLAN...... 12–15

MANAGE...... 16–24 IMPROVE...... 25

3 About this guide

This Glovebox Guide for Managing It follows a broad structure to help Feral Pigs is a practical resource you learn about the pest animal, designed to assist Australian then plan, manage and improve your landholders (farmers, public land control programs. managers and indigenous groups) in Care has been taken to incorporate the control of feral pigs. differences in practice that arise by A large part of tackling a feral region. pig problem depends on the For further information about landholder’s awareness of the feral pigs and other pest animals situation and their ability to make in Australia, visit the PestSmart informed decisions about how best website: www.pestsmart.org.au to take action to reduce feral pig damage. This guide aims to:

— enhance understanding of feral pig biology and ecology, where and how they live

— outline the options for control, advantages and disadvantages

— outline management tools and strategies

— assist in the development of a cost effective pig management plan.

4 Image by Nic Perkins Taxonomic names: Sus scrofa

Common names: feral pig, feral hog, feral swine, wild pig, wild boar

Image by Chris Lane

LEARN Impacts

Economic Environmental

Feral pigs cost Australian agriculture Feral pigs cause extensive damage over $14 million each year through to natural habitats when rooting predation of lambs, competition with for food. They also wallow and foul livestock and damage to property, up water sources, trample and water sources and crops (McLeod consume native vegetation and 2016). Industries directly affected spread weeds. Ground-burrowing include wool, meat (cattle and native fauna, such as frogs and sheep), grains, sugar and fruit. turtles, are easy prey for digging pigs. About 40 threatened species Health are at risk of feral pig predation, Feral pigs are also known carriers habitat degradation, competition of at least 45 different parasites and disease transmission (EPBC Act and diseases. These parasites and 1999). These include birds, insects, diseases threaten livestock, pets, lizards, marsupials and crayfish. native wildlife, and in some cases, Feral pigs are a threat to a range humans. They can also spread plant of endangered plants (such as pathogens such as Phytophthora orchids) and protected ecological cinnamomi, which causes plant communities including box gum dieback. woodlands, vine thickets and peat swamps. An outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which can be carried and spread by feral pigs, could reduce Australia’s export revenue by more than $9 billion. Managing feral pigs costs approximately $5 million a year. 5 Social Reproduction Feral pigs can have some positive The reproductive potential of feral and negative social impacts. pigs is more similar to that of Positive: they can be a food and/or rabbits than other large mammals recreational resource for hunters in Australia. Their fecundity often and Aboriginal and Torres Straight increases with age and body weight. Islander communities. Breeding is influenced by the availability of good quality food — Negative: they can cause damage under favourable conditions pigs to culturally significant Aboriginal can reproduce all year round. Sows and Torres Strait Islander sites. They can breed from about six months can also cause damage to property of age and may produce two litters and landscapes generally and the of an average six piglets in a little amenity of national parks and over one year. This means they can reserves. Feral pigs can also impact recover quickly from the effects on animal welfare as they attack and of control or other setbacks (eg eat livestock and native animals. drought) in good conditions.

Feral pigs. Image: Leigh Deutscher

6 Key facts

Appearance Feral pigs have been estimated to As a result of diverse source Feral pigs originate from escaped populations and interbreeding, feral and released domestic pigs (Sus pigs vary in colour and size. They are scrofa). After several generations predominantly black, buff-coloured breeding in the wild, they look more or black and white spotted. Piglets like Eurasian wild boar than their may be striped, which is typical of domestic relatives; taller, leaner and the European wild boar. Generally, more muscular with sparse coarse females are smaller and weigh hair. Feral pigs have well developed less (50–60 kg) than males (80–100 necks and shoulders that taper to kg). Feral pigs are highly social and smaller and shorter hind quarters. intelligent animals and normally Their ears are smaller, tail straighter form groups, known as ‘mobs’ (or and snout and tusks larger and ‘sounders’ in the United States of longer than the domestic pig. America).

These groups are usually less than After several 12 individuals although they can generations breeding be as large as 400 in favourable in the wild, they look conditions. Feral pigs are generally more like Eurasian shy and nocturnal – active from late wild boar than their afternoon to early morning. domestic relatives; taller, leaner and more muscular with sparse coarse hair.

Feral pig. Image: Steve Maxwell Domestiic pig. Image: Robyn Anderson 7 Distribution Diet Feral pigs are found in all states Feral pigs eat a large volume and a and territories of Australia. There wide variety of foods. They target are estimated to be 13.5 million abundant food sources and eat feral pigs (95% confidence interval green vegetation, animal matter, between 3.5 and 23.5 million) spread fruits and grains. Using their snout, across about 45% of Australia. Pigs feral pigs root up the ground for are most common in the northern fungi, tubers, grubs and worms. They and eastern states on the mainland. also consume the eggs of various They are most abundant in Northern animal species and prey upon lambs, Queensland. However, distribution turtles and frogs. and abundance fluctuates widely as a result of food, water and Reproduction environmental conditions. Feral Feral pigs can reproduce quickly, pig populations continue to particularly in good conditions. Their expand both naturally and by fecundity often increases with age illegal translocations, particularly in and body weight. With favourable Western Australia, South Australia conditions pigs can reproduce all and Victoria. year round. Sows can breed from about six months of age and may Habitat and range produce two litters of an average six Feral pigs are habitat generalists. piglets in a little over one year. They They are highly adaptable and can can recover quickly from the effects tolerate a wide range of different of control or drought. climates. They can live almost anywhere if there is regular food, Weaknesses water and shelter. They are most Feral pigs cannot tolerate heat abundant around wetlands and because they lack sweat glands. river systems and are not usually Therefore, they need access to found in desert or dry inland reliable water and shade to cool areas. Feral pigs tend to stay within down in hot conditions. They also defined home ranges, in response need high quality foods to raise to season or regular disturbance. their young. Feral pigs are most Family groups of sows with piglets vulnerable to predation until they and juveniles tend to have more reach about 20 kg, therafter, few limited home ranges (2–20 km2). predators pose a serious threat. Boars are typically solitary and can The size, strength and gregarious range between 8–50 km2. Some (social) feeding behaviour of feral boars have been genetically tracked, pigs is also unique in the Australian through siring young, over several landscape, and can be exploited in hundred kilometres. baiting operations. 8 Policy and Legislation — control techniques, for Wild pig management is regulated example specific legislation and administered at the state dealing with the use of and territory government level poisons, firearms, and traps and is constrained by certain Commonwealth, state and territory Refer to your state/territory agency legislation and policy. There are also and the PestSmart website for the various guidelines, codes of practice, latest information about legislation, and standard operating procedures. policies and other strategies. These may be implemented or driven at the local level. National level

Violation of laws can attract serious In 2002 feral pigs were listed penalties (for example fines and jail as a ‘Key Threatening Process’ time) for individuals and agencies. to endangered species and You need to check the latest national ecological communities under and state/territory laws, regulations the Commonwealth Environment and policies. Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Laws relate to: A national framework was — legal status of wild pigs developed to guide coordinated action to contain the spread of this — threatened species and threatening process - the Threat conservation (most Abatement Plan for the predation, notably the Environment habitat degradation, competition Protection and Biodiversity and disease transmission by feral Conservation (EPBC) Act pigs (2017). 1999) The overarching goals of this threat — land tenure, for example abatement plan are to prevent the treatment of pigs may further species and ecological be different in national communities from becoming parks versus agricultural threatened or extinct due to areas predation, habitat degradation, — obligations of land owners competition and disease transmission by feral pigs, and to — animal welfare (for both improve protection for EPBC-listed pigs and native, livestock species and ecological communities and pet animals) currently threatened by feral pigs.

9 A reduction in the total number of 5. Build capacity for feral pig EPBC-listed species and ecological management and raise feral pig communities threatened by feral awareness amongst landholders and pigs is also desirable but may be land managers, and unlikely due to the extremely high and ongoing level of pig control this 6. Improve public awareness about would require. feral pigs and the environmental damage and problems they cause, These goals can be achieved and the need for the feral pig by improving our scientific control. understanding of the threatening process that feral pigs represent Each objective is accompanied by a and its effects on native species set of actions which, if implemented, and ecological communities, and will help to achieve the goals of the improving management and control threat abatement plan. Performance of feral pigs. To achieve these goals, indicators (outcomes and outputs) the threat abatement plan has six have been established for each objectives that were developed in objective. Reports on progress consultation with experts in relevant against the objectives may be sought jurisdictions. These objectives are to: by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and 1. Prioritise key species, ecological Energy in years 4–5 for the purpose communities, ecosystems and of assessing the effectiveness of the locations across Australia for threat abatement plan. strategic feral pig management State and territory level 2. Encourage the integration of While land managers and feral pig management into land government agencies are working management activities at regional, to integrate consistent pig state and territory, and national management across jurisdictions, levels each state and territory government 3. Encourage further scientific may have its own legislation and research into feral pig impacts on policies. Check what applies to you nationally threatened species and in your location. In some locations, ecological communities, and feral pig wild pigs are a declared pest ecology and control and penalties may apply for not managing them appropriately. 4. Record and monitor feral pig control programs, so their effectiveness can be evaluated

10 Check the laws and guidance for your state or territory, including those that address the humane treatment of all animals.

We recommend following the six step pest animal adaptive management framework

PLAN

1. Assess and understand the problem

2. Develop a plan and set clear objectives

MANAGE

3. Choose control techniques and PLAN strategies and implement

4. Monitor the outcomes of your 1. 2. plan ASSESS DEVELOP

IMPROVE 6. BUILDING 3. MODIFY CAPACITY ACT

5. Evaluate the plan – did you

M

meet your objectives? E

A V

N O

A

R 5. 4. G

6. Modify as required and repeat P

E

M EVALUATE MONITOR as necessary I

Use FeralPigScan to record and map feral pigs sightings, damage and control activities. Only public data recorded is available to the community, to help decide where to undertake control, and 11 coordinate with neighbours. PLAN

Feral pigs are difficult to manage as The following steps are essential they can quickly breed, move and for developing a successful pig change behaviour in response to management program control and other environmental Define the problem factors. Detect feral pig presence To be effective, pig management and control must reduce the population There are a number of signs that at least 50% to 70% every year. Do indicate if pigs have moved into an not rely on just one control method; area. These include: tracks, rooting, is unlikely to have a big enough nor wallows, nests or beds, travel pads, lasting effect. dung, holes in fences, crop damage, tusking and tree and post rubs. The Structure management processes series of photographs on pages consistently and in an integrated 16-17 illustrate many of these field way to achieve long term and cost- signs. effective outcomes. This means combining control techniques that Telling tracks apart are suitable to you and your local Be careful to not mistake pig tracks situation. for other tracks, such as sheep, goat, deer and cows. Pig tracks are more rounded at the tips of the hooves and have a more widely spread dew claws (see diagram below).

Tracks of pigs and other domestic animals. Pigs have four toes but only the middle two have well-developed hooves – only these two toes are evident. The dew claws can be seen in very soft ground. A pig track is square in shape with similar length and width. Goat and sheep have similar tracks to pigs but pig tracks are more square and robust. Goat, sheep and deer tracks are often heart-shaped when not splayed (with the front imprint tapers to a sharp point and the back being 12 rounded). Cow tracks show only the edge of the cattle hooves in hard substrate (Moseby et al 2009) (images: Kana Koichi, Jason Wishart and Pip Masters). Understand the problem Develop a strategic, detailed Measure the harmful impact (for plan example percentage loss of a crop As a general rule, you will need to or lambs) and ensure that the level consider the following aspects to of management is appropriate to develop your management plan: the impact. The presence of pigs — How you will work with does not always mean there is a ecology and behaviour significant problem. Control costs can sometimes be greater than — How you will work with the costs of repairs. Make sure you other people, for example consider ‘hidden’ costs associated your neighbours and local with feral pigs such as disease risk government and threats to ecology and native wildlife. — What your objectives are and how you will judge Set objectives success Feral pig control should be — Which laws and policies proactive and aimed at reducing apply to your situation damage rather than eradicating pigs altogether. Eradication is — Resources, including time often a best-case scenario, but is and money. unlikely except at a local level or on offshore islands. Set realistic, This overarching plan will help you measurable outcomes within choose which control tools are most achievable timeframes. DO NOT appropriate to your objectives and use pig numbers as a benchmark your situation and help you monitor for the outcome of control because and evaluate. pig numbers and the extent of Carefully plan and coordinate damage do not always correlate. control to achieve objectives rather An appropriate objective may be to than focus on killing as many pigs as “Increase lamb-making rates by 20% possible. When local eradication is in one year after control”. not practical, strategic management is the best option. This may be one-off control (for example erecting fences), sustained control (for example an initial knockdown followed by periodic maintenance control to slow/prevent recovery), or targeted control (for example conducting control only at critical times when damage is most severe). 13 Work with nature Understand the biology and Prioritise and break large areas up behavioural traits of feral pigs. into suitable management units. Three important things to consider Maps can be useful for setting are water, food and shelter. As a locations for control and visually general rule, implement controls identifying potential holes in the (for example setting bait stations target area where pigs may not be or traps) when it is hot and dry. exposed to your control effort. It is easier to target pigs in these Monitor before, during and conditions as they may congregate after around permanent water points and more readily eat baits when food is Monitoring before control is scarce. You can undertake control important to gather baseline data programs year-round, but they may on feral pig abundance and damage, require more time and effort in to which you can compare all colder, wetter conditions. future data to measure program effectiveness. Work with people Monitoring during/after control Feral pig control is most successful includes: when people work together over a region. Because pigs are highly Operational monitoring: mobile, do not respect land tenure recording what was done, when and boundaries and can reproduce at what cost. quickly, it is crucial to have widescale landholder buy-in. Landholders in one area are likely to be affected by action or inaction of others in surrounding areas. Individual ad hoc control is unlikely to have a lasting effect. Group schemes and cooperative efforts are also more likely to provide economies of scale and social benefits that will encourage sustained long-term Image: Jessica Marsh control efforts.

14 Ground rooting caused by pigs. Image: Sue Braid Riverbank wallows. Image: Mick Fletcher

Look for these field signs that indicate feral pigs have moved into an area.

Lamb predation by feral pigs Image: Bureau of Rural Sciences

Hole in fence. Image: Jason Wishart Pig dung - appearance can vary depending on food. Image: Jason Wishart 15 Performance monitoring: assessing effectiveness of control based on pig population abundance and damage extent. In monitoring performance, DO NOT rely on sightings of feral pigs as a guide to their presence. Instead, observe the signs of pigs (page 11). Common pig signs include:

— Recent or fresh rooting: Travel pad path. Image: Jason Wishart but keep in mind that the area of rooting does not necessarily indicate

— Population size because a small number of pigs can root up large areas.

— Pig tracks and dung: count in particular areas then clear for later monitoring.

— Mud or hair (left hanging on fences).

— Wallowing, tusk marking, Mud rub marks on a tree. Image: NSW DPI or mud rubs (on trees and fence posts).

You can also observe the number of pigs removed per unit of effort, bait uptake levels or observe reduction in damage.

Crop damage caused by feral pigs Image: Jason Wishart

16 MANAGE Poison baiting Ground-based poison baiting is one Choose suitable control tools of the most economical and effective Various lethal and non-lethal tools ways to control feral pigs on a broad are available to control feral pigs scale. 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) in Australia. Not all tools are useful is the main toxin currently used or practical so assess your local in Australia and is the only poison situation including environment, available for aerial application. Only season, laws and regulations. It is authorised persons can supply 1080. important to consider humaneness of the methods as well as Other toxins, such as CSSP or SAP cost-effectiveness. (yellow phosphorus) and warfarin, are being phased out nationally due Each control method has its to animal welfare and non-target pros and cons (see Table 1). A concerns. Sodium nitrite, a common combination of techniques usually human food preservative (250), is provides the best results, starting also available as an additional toxin with the least intrusive so as not to for feral pig management. alarm the population you are trying to control. Poison baiting is often Selecting substances that feral used as an initial control tool with pigs are already familiar with as a other methods as a follow-up. There bait substrate may improve bait are currently no biological or fertility uptake. Grain (eg wheat, oats, barley, control agents suitable for feral pig sorghum, soybeans and lupins) control. and pellet baits are often used in NSW and QLD. Fruit (eg bananas) is also used in fruit growing regions. Manufactured baits for feral pigs are also available and provide high target specificity. All poisonous baits must be coloured (usually in green or blue) to distinguish them from human and animal food and make them less attractive to birds.

Feral pigs at a HogHopper Image: Jason Wishart

17 Trapping Shooting / hunting Trapping is useful where poison Aerial shooting, conducted in good baiting or shooting is not feasible, flying conditions with an experienced such as near urban areas. Trapping pilot and spotter, is cost-effective is not practical for large scale control when pig densities are high. Aerial but can be used to manage pigs at shooting may also be useful to relatively low densities for small rapidly reduce pig numbers during areas of high production (<5000ha), exotic disease emergencies. Ground where the operator has time to shooting can be an effective mop up check traps regularly. operation after poison baiting.

Trapping is a process, not an event. Ground or aerial shooting should Successful pig trapping hinges upon not occur prior to, or during trapping several key components, including: and poison baiting programs timing, location, bait materials, pre because it is ‘intrusive’ and can feeding, setting a trap at the right disrupt pig activity, causing pigs time. to move to other areas. Ground shooting is not suitable for population-scale management across large areas. Overseas studies have shown that sport hunting, for instance, only removes about 20% of feral pig populations on an annual basis.

Refer to relevant State and Territory legislations regarding use of firearms and regulations on permission to hunt.

Feral pigs in a silo trap. Image: Jim Mitchell Aerial shooting of feral pigs. Image: Mal Leeson

18 Exclusion Fencing Judas pigs Although expensive, exclusion Ground and aerial shooting can fencing is useful to protect high benefit from the use of ‘Judas’ pigs, value crops or animal enterprises which are radio-collared individuals released to associate and reveal – the initial outlay will generally be the location of pigs in the area that offset over time. are otherwise difficult to find. It is For successful fencing, fences need an expensive operation, requiring to be constructed BEFORE pigs get telemetry equipment and skilled used to crossing an area. Once operators. Judas pigs are used pigs are aware of a food or water mostly for removing remaining pigs source inside the area and become in the last stages of eradication habituated to the source, fencing campaigns and are not effective at high pig densities. Sows are will have little effect. You can modify preferred as Judas pigs as they are existing fences to pig-proof standard more socially connected to other through electrification. If electrified, pigs than old adult boars. you need to regularly control vegetation growing underneath Choosing the right control tools fences to prevent shorting. Each control method has its pros and cons (see Table 1). Select control techniques that are suited A combination of these to your local environment and tools is essential for effective situation. It is important to consider feral pig control, as no humaneness of the methods as well single technique will provide as cost-effectiveness. adequate long-term results.

Fences no barrier for feral pigs. Image: Wendy Betts

19 Table 1: Pros and Cons of currently available feral pig control tools

Control When to use Pros Cons technique Poison • before breeding • can reduce large numbers of • pets & other non-target animals baiting events or good pigs over large areas quickly can be at risk (1080) breeding conditions - eg, late summer • cost-effective control • restrictions on its use method but may be different • approval process and times in different • can be applied on-ground or qualifications needed varies areas from the air across states/territories • when there is little • rain causes loss of toxicity other feed available • needs to be followed up with other methods Trapping • when poison baiting • can be made target specific • labour and skill intensive is not feasible • relatively humane and safe • not practical for large-scale • when food is limited control and localised • allows commercial use • requires access for trap and bait • moveable and reuseable materials • some pigs are trap-shy Shooting • open terrain, • target specific • costly for reducing large (aerial inaccessible or numbers (ground) • allows commercial use or ground) remote areas (aerial) • expensive when pig densities are • early morning or late • can be cost-effective when low (aerial) afternoon when pigs pig density is high (aerial) • not suitable for thick vegetation are active • quick knockdown of pig • spotlighting feeding population (aerial) • may alter activity patterns sites • labour and skill intensive Exclusion • construct fences • low non-target impacts • requires constant maintenance fencing before pigs get used to crossing an area • humane • not practical at a large scale • effective for small high-value • may impede movement of non- crop areas target species • no reduction to feral pig populations Judas pigs • in the last stages of • helps remove remaining pigs • expensive operation eradication campaign at low densities following when pig density is other control (eg baiting, • variable effectiveness low trapping or shooting)

Poison • before breeding • can reduce large numbers of • restrictions on its use baiting events or good pigs over large areas quickly breeding conditions • Can only be used in conjunction (sodium - eg, late summer • Fast acting: Feral pigs with the HogHopper bait delivery nitrite) but may be different succumb within 1-3 hours of system ( additional costs) bait ingestion. times in different • approval process and areas • Carcasses typically found qualifications needed varies • when there is little within 200m of the bait across states/ territories other feed available deployment point and show limited signs of distress. 20 • No environmental residues Table 1: Pros and Cons of currently available feral pig control tools

We recommend following the Control When to use Pros Cons technique six step pest animal adaptive Poison • before breeding • can reduce large numbers of • pets & other non-target animals management framework baiting events or good pigs over large areas quickly can be at risk (1080) breeding conditions PLAN - eg, late summer • cost-effective control • restrictions on its use but may be different method • approval process and 1. Assess and understand the times in different • can be applied on-ground or qualifications needed varies areas from the air across states/territories problem • when there is little • rain causes loss of toxicity other feed available 2. Develop a plan and set clear • needs to be followed up with objectives other methods Trapping • when poison baiting • can be made target specific • labour and skill intensive is not feasible MANAGE • relatively humane and safe • not practical for large-scale • when food is limited control 3. Choose control techniques and and localised • allows commercial use • requires access for trap and bait strategies and implement • moveable and reuseable materials • some pigs are trap-shy 4. Monitor the outcomes of your Shooting • open terrain, • target specific • costly for reducing large plan (aerial inaccessible or numbers (ground) • allows commercial use or ground) remote areas (aerial) • expensive when pig densities are IMPROVE • early morning or late • can be cost-effective when low (aerial) afternoon when pigs pig density is high (aerial) • not suitable for thick vegetation 5. Evaluate the plan – did you meet are active • quick knockdown of pig your objectives? • spotlighting feeding population (aerial) • may alter activity patterns sites • labour and skill intensive 6. Modify as required and repeat as Exclusion • construct fences • low non-target impacts • requires constant maintenance necessary fencing before pigs get used to crossing an area • humane • not practical at a large scale • effective for small high-value • may impede movement of non- crop areas target species • no reduction to feral pig populations Judas pigs • in the last stages of • helps remove remaining pigs • expensive operation eradication campaign at low densities following when pig density is other control (eg baiting, • variable effectiveness low trapping or shooting)

Poison • before breeding • can reduce large numbers of • restrictions on its use baiting events or good pigs over large areas quickly breeding conditions • Can only be used in conjunction (sodium - eg, late summer • Fast acting: Feral pigs with the HogHopper bait delivery nitrite) but may be different succumb within 1-3 hours of system ( additional costs) bait ingestion. times in different • approval process and areas • Carcasses typically found qualifications needed varies • when there is little within 200m of the bait across states/ territories Image by Jason Wishart. other feed available deployment point and show limited signs of distress. • No environmental residues 21 Additional hints on poison baiting

Ground-based poison baiting is one The different toxicants are deployed of the most economical and effective in different forms of baits. In some ways to control feral pigs on a broad cases, 1080 is placed in grain or scale. 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) fruit. Manufactured 1080 or Sodium is the main toxicant currently used Nitrite baits are designed to be more in Australia. It is the only poison targeted towards pigs. For example, available for aerial application and 1080 PIGOUT® Feral Pig Bait is must be supplied by authorised made with a sturdy, fish-flavoured individuals. cereal matrix, specially flavoured and dyed to maximise uptake by Sodium Nitrite, is the newest product pigs and minimise uptake by birds available (registered in December and other non-target species. The 2019) and is more readily-available bait is strengthened by an edible to landholders as it is a a S6 poison. bio-degradable cellulose skin also This means landholders can access designed to reduce non-target it without training or certification uptake, ensure ease of handling as long as it is used within a Hog and increase the resilience of Hopper or Bait Box to exclude the bait when deployed from the non-target animals. It is also more air. All poisonous baits must be humane than 1080. At very high coloured (usually in green or blue) to doses, orally absorbed Sodium distinguish them from human and Nitrite converts normal haemoglobin animal food and make them less to methaemoglobin, which is unable attractive to birds. to transport oxygen in blood. Most animals can tolerate modest Baiting programs should also amounts of Sodium nitrite but pigs consider: have a unique susceptibility to this — compound as they lack a protective Diet: local and seasonal diet enzyme that is present in other preference of feral pigs. species. — Timing: generally, baiting Other toxicant, such as CSSP or SAP should take place when (yellow phosphorus) and warfarin, pigs are suffering from are being phased out nationally due peak nutritional stress to animal welfare and non-target caused by natural lows in concerns. food resources.

Refer to the Feral pig – humaneness matrix to see more information.

22 FAST FACT: Shooting / — Avoiding breeding season: hunting It is better to bait prior to pig breeding because While it can remove farrowing sows restrict problematic animals, their normal home range overseas studies have by as much as 94% and shown that sport hunting, their litters do not often get for instance, only removes exposed to baits. about 20% of feral pig populations on an annual — Locating bait stations in basis. popular pig areas: Place stations where feral pigs are likely to find them Do’s and don’ts (and why) during their daily activity. Do pay attention to seasonal Look for travel pads, areas conditions and alternate food of thick cover, creeks availability. and swamp edges, or waterholes when picking a Do pre-feed for as long as bait location. practically possible when undertaking a trapping or poison — Pre-feeding: prior to toxic baiting campaign. In some situations, baiting so that feral pigs visiting pig numbers can more than become familiar with the double with a couple of extra days bait type and location. In pre-feeding. some jurisdictions (for example NSW, the Wet Do consider the components Tropics of Queensland), needed for success. For example, pre-feeding is compulsory. with trapping you will need to get all components right including: timing, — How to limit non-target location, bait materials, pre feeding, exposure to baits: For setting a trap at the right time. example, a bait delivery device such as the Do try to coordinate control HogHopper™ can help efforts with your neighbouring increase the selectivity, farmers, Parks Rangers or natural efficiency and safety of pig resource management authorities. baiting. This will give better knockdown of feral pig populations across a much — Relevant state and territory wider area and slow re-invasion. legislation and regulations.

23

Do consider Judas pigs if shooting. Don’t transport live feral Judas pigs are radio-collared pigs without a permit. You may individuals released to associate inadvertently spread the pig problem and reveal the location of pigs in the and their diseases, and you could be area that are otherwise difficult to fined or imprisoned. find. It is an expensive operation, requiring telemetry equipment and Don’t use animal carcasses as skilled operators. Judas pigs are bait. This practice, also referred to used mostly for removing remaining as ‘swill feeding’, is illegal in Australia pigs in the last stages of eradication due to the heightened risk of disease campaigns and are not effective transfer. Mad Cow Disease would be at high pig densities. Sows are spread by swill feeding. preferred as Judas pigs as they are Don’t use old or illegal poison. Just more socially connected to other because ‘the old man used this stuff pigs than old adult boars. back in his day’ doesn’t mean that it’s fine to use now. If in doubt, check Do look for areas where pigs are with your local authorities regarding regularly and currently active, to set up traps and baits stations. That the use of toxins in your State or means visiting each site and look for Territory. fresh feral pig signs.

Feral pig damage. Image: Mick Fletcher 24 IMPROVE You can now modify your When evaluating your plan at the management plan if required. end of the year/season, consider the Repeat the process until you are following questions: satisfied your planning process is the best it can be. You will likely need — how well did the plan work to adapt the plan each year as the — what features worked and situation changes on your property why and in surrounding areas.

— what features didn’t work To get help evaluating your plan and why not contact your local biosecurity officer or land management authority. — did I save money or spend more than I planned For further information on feral pig control resources, information and — could I spend money better references visit Pestsmart.org.au/ next time toolkits/feral-pigs

— what could I change to make the plan work better Monitor your activities next time? and evaluate your plan. If you didn’t achieve your objectives find out why

Feral pigs. Image: Brian Boyle 25 Further information

A range of useful resources are Mitchell J and Dorney W (2002). available on the PestSmart website Monitoring Systems for Feral Pigs: including Standard Operating Monitoring the Economic Damage Procedures, videos and factsheets. to Agricultural Industries and the Population Dynamics of Feral Pigs Australian Government (2017). Threat in the Wet Tropics of Queensland. abatement plan for predation, habitat Brisbane: Queensland Department of degradation, competition and disease Natural Resources and Mines. transmission by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) (2017)’, Commonwealth of Australia, Mitchell J (2011). Feral Pig Control. 2017. Townsville: NQ Dry Tropics. Queensland Department of Primary Braysher M (1993). Managing Industries and Fisheries (2008). Feral Vertebrate Pests – Principles and pig control: A practical guide to pig Strategies. Bureau of Resource control in Queensland. https://www. Sciences, Canberra. daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_ Choquenot D, McIlroy J and Korn T file/0008/63926/IPA-Feral-Pig-Control- (1996). Managing Vertebrate Pests Manual.pdf – Feral Pigs. Bureau of Resource Productivity Commission (2002). Sciences, Canberra. Impact of a Foot and Mouth Disease Hamrick B, Smith M, Jaworowski C Outbreak on Australia. Research and Strickland B (2011). A landholder’s Report, AusInfo, Canberra. https:// guide for a wild pig management: www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/ practical methods for wild pig foot-and-mouth/report control. Mississippi: Mississippi Sharp T and Saunders G (2011). A State University. reduce Australia’s model for assessing the relative export revenue by more than $9 humaneness of pest control methods billion. Managing feral pigs costs (2nd ed). Australian Government approximately $5 million a year. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra ACT. https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/ default/files/publications/publications/ West P (2008). Assessing Invasive p2659_0.pdf Animals in Australia 2008. National Land & Water Resources Audit and McLeod, R. (2016). Cost of Pest Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Animals in NSW and Australia, 2013- Centre, Canberra. 14. eSYS Development Pty Ltd, 2016. Report prepared for the NSW Natural Williams BL, Holtfreter RW, Ditchkoff Resources Commission. SS and Grand JB (2011). Trap style influences wild pig behavior and Mitchell B and Balogh S (2007). trapping success. Journal of Wildlife Monitoring techniques for vertebrate Management 75(2): 432-436. https:// pests - feral pigs. Orange, NSW: pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70036873 Department of Primary Industries. Wishart J (2015). Feral Pigs: a field

guide topoison baiting. PestSmart

Toolkit publication. Invasive Animals 26 CRC. 7. Notes ______

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