Feral pigs
A pig can be identified as being feral if it:
- was born or has lived in the wild
- demonstrates wild and erratic behaviour
- is not domesticated
- has long coarse hair, an elongated snout, or sloping hindquarters.
Impact of feral pigs
Feral pigs cause damage to crops, pastures, water holes, fencing and can cause significant economic losses to agricultural production through predation of livestock, disease introduction and environmental damage.
Feral pigs create significant soil disturbance, altering drainage, increasing turbidity and sedimentation and greatly assisting the spread of weeds.
Feral pigs can also carry disease and parasites that affect stock and pose a disease risk to humans (eg brucellosis). They are a major potential host of a number of exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.
Control of wild pigs
As with any pest control program, a single method of control used in isolation may only provide limited control of pig populations.
However, a coordinated program involving neighbours and multiple control methods will prove more successful.
There are many methods available for the control of feral pigs including 1080 baiting, trapping, exclusion fencing, aerial and ground shooting.
For more information on pest species and biosecurity, visit Pestsmart and the Department of Primary Industries.
Otherwise, please contact your local Biosecurity Officer if you require feral pig pest animal management advice.
Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plans
We've worked with regional pest animal committees and the community to develop regional strategic pest animal management plans in each of our 11 Local Land Services regions.
Your Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plans will tell you what priority pest animal pest animals you need to manage and how.
Read your Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan: