Seasonal pest animal control programs

Tambar Springs - Pine Cliff aerial control program

North West Local Land Services has undertaken a number of coordinated cross tenure aerial control programs throughout February and March 2022, one of these being the Tambar Springs - Pine Cliff aerial shoot from 22-23 February.

A snapshot of the Tambar Spring aerial shoot include:

• 12 hours total shoot time
• 34 properties shot
• 10 owners
• 183 feral pigs
• 3 cats
• 6 foxes
• 2 fallow deer

Invasive Species Biosecurity Officer Greg Lumber said the number of pigs controlled during this aerial shoot was less than expected.

"This may have been due to the fact that most owners have been shooting twice a year for five to six years," Greg said.

"Another contributing factor may be the plentiful water supplies so pigs could have been more spread out and have plenty of cover.

"The owners are seeing a benefit of regular shooting with less crop damage evident than expected, although there is still plenty of time before harvest."

Yarrie Lake aerial control program

The Yarrie Lake program was conducted between Tuesday 15 March and Thursday the 17 March.

A snapshot of the Yarrie Lake aerial program:

• 14 hours operational time
• 31 holdings totalling 16,182 hectares.
• 427 feral pigs
• 3 foxes
• 7 feral cats

Senior Biosecurity Officer John Busby said the Yarrie Lake group has been targeting pigs in a coordinated control program using integrated control techniques.

"Before this aerial control program, they conducted an aerial control program in October 2021 and between the two they conducted ground baiting and trapping programs," John said.

This program was enabled through funding by participating landholders, Santos and North West Local Land Services.

"The aim of this program was to assist stakeholders in reducing the pest animal burden in the area impacted by the population increase of feral pigs, promoting stock/crop protection, infrastructure protection, increase native flora and fauna regeneration," John said.

"The pigs were spread throughout the control zone with little signs of patterns. There was a noticeable increase in the pig population however in the new areas that weren’t part of the original control programs.

"The last run showed that the program had a big impact on the pig population as the “hotspots” were flown again with little pig presence found. This shows that the program is having a positive impact on reducing pig populations in the area."

For more information on invasive species control programs in your area, contact your local biosecurity officer by calling 1300 795 299.