Any pigs at large on mainland Tasmania are considered to be domestic stock.
Risk Assessment: Threat Abatement Plan for predation, habitat degradation, competition & disease transmission by feral pigs (Commonwealth of Australia)
Feral pig
Image: Vanessa Macdonald, Courtesy of IA CRC
Identifying features
Feral pigs are typically smaller, leaner and more muscular than domestic pigs. Juveniles may be striped, while old boars (razorbacks) have large heads and shoulders, and a raised, prominent backbone.
Feral pig body are covered in sparse, coarse (mostly black) hair.
History
Feral pigs are the descendants of domestic pigs, which were first brought into Australia by early European colonists. These domestic pigs were often allowed to range freely to forage for food in the bush, and inevitably some became feral, living and breeding in the wild.
There have only been occasional, localised and temporary populations of feral pigs on the mainland of Tasmania, due to accidental release. However, pigs became feral on Flinders Island in the 1800s after being released by sealers and following a shipwreck in 1877. Feral pig numbers were supplemented by pigs that were accidentally or intentionally released in the 1970s.
Did you know:
Captain Cook's diaries make mention of the release of a boar and a sow on Bruny Island, Tasmania in 1777. Cook expected the pigs to be killed by the Aboriginal population and no signs of pigs were seen by the Baudin expedition in 1802.
Distribution
On Flinders Island feral pigs are found in the Strzelecki National Park area located in the southwest corner of the island, and through the wetlands along the east coast. During very wet seasons, feral pigs have been sighted throughout the island.
On the east coast, feral pigs are found in two wetlands that are listed on the Register of the National Estate and as international Ramsar sites.
Environmental Impacts
Feral pigs are a major agricultural pest. They:
compete with livestock, destroy crops and fencing, foul water sources and transmit disease.
are environmental and agricultural pests on Flinders Island and threaten at least 30 native plant and animal species.
cause damage to the environment through wallowing, rooting for food and selective feeding.
compete with native animals for food, destroy habitat for native plants and animals and can spread environmental weeds.
Many native plants and several native animals threatened by feral pigs are listed under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and the Commonwealth Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (EPBC Act).
Reproduction
Breeding is heavily influenced by the availability and quality of food. Favourable conditions allow feral pigs to reproduce all year round and at a rapid rate, akin to rabbits. Sows (female pigs) can breed once they reach about 25 kg or six months of age and can potentially produce two litters of 4-10 piglets a year.
Control
In Australia, a range of feral pig control techniques are available, including:
No single technique will completely remove feral pigs from a given area so a combination of techniques is usually needed.
For more information see the PestSmart Toolkit.
Reporting
To report feral pig sightings on Flinders Island, or for advice on feral pig management, please contact the Invasive Species Branch on 03 6165 3777 or by email to: biosecurity.tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au
More information
The
PestSmart Connect Toolkit provides information and guidance on best-practice invasive animal management on several key vertebrate pest species including rabbits, foxes, feral pigs and feral cats.
See other invasive mammals:
Foxes |
European rabbits |
Feral goats |
Feral cats |
Ferrets |
Wild dogsSee other invasive species:
Birds |
Freshwater species |
Other species