Feral Pigs On The Lam In Suburbia

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday October 29, 2005

By MICHELE TYDD

FERAL pigs from Shellharbour's Killalea State Park are venturing into suburbia, with evidence they are foraging at Shell Cove housing estate.

It is believed they are from a population of pigs that have been illegally transported to the park to be used to train hunting dogs.

"We haven't had any sightings, but there is evidence the feral pigs have been on the estate," said Glenn Colquhoun from Australand, which manages Shell Cove.

"Contractors noticed damage to landscaping and it has been confirmed by the Rural Land Protection Board that feral pigs - and possibly rabbits - are responsible."

The pigs, which can grow to over 120kg, can be dangerous if cornered.

Mr Colquhoun said residents had been notified and assured an eradication program was under way.

Moss Vale Rural Protection Board's managing ranger Andrew Glover warned residents and anybody using the park not to try catching the pigs.

"Their strong jaw pressure means they can inflict serious bites, and the males have tusks that have been known to cause horrendous injuries, particularly to the lower legs," he said.

Mr Glover said up until now the problem had been confined to the bush areas of Killalea.

"We have tried to eradicate the pigs on numerous occasions and each time when we think we have killed the last of the animals, the area is repopulated.

"There have been incidents where we have set traps and we believe hunters have freed the pigs and relocated them."

The board suspects hunters transport feral piglets to the Illawarra so they don't have so far to travel to train their dogs.

"Not only are they risking huge fines of $22,000 for transporting the animals, but they are creating an unnecessary risk for people who live in the area," he said.

"If there is insufficient food in the park, the pigs will go elsewhere, such as Shell Cove, looking in garbage and compost bins for food.

"The other big risk is if they come into contact with foods contaminated with exotic viruses such as foot and mouth disease.

"Pigs are known incubators who can spread this disease to livestock and that is a real worry in regions like the Illawarra."

Anybody sighting the pigs or the pig hunters should phone 4655 9165.

© 2005 Illawarra Mercury

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