Feral Swine: Going Hog Wild

BY DR. TONY FRAZIER

Occasionally I write about tick diseases. I usually fit the comment into the article that I have never really known of a single redeeming quality of ticks. I would say the same thing about feral swine. I suppose it is all about perspective but from where I stand, the world would be no worse off if they were all suddenly abducted by aliens and gone. I know that we are concerned any time a species goes extinct, but I can’t think of any meaningful way most of us would miss the feral hogs if they just packed up and left. If you are into hunting feral swine, you may be in that small group of people who would miss them. I can cut you some slack, though, since I think you are trying to make the world better for the rest of us.

According to the USDA, feral swine are not native to America. They were apparently brought here by explorers and settlers back in the 1500s. Then in the 1900s, the Russian and European wild boar was introduced for the purpose of sport hunting. Like a lot of things that were done years ago like putting lead in paint, I don’t think the long-term implications were given much thought. So here we are a century later with an estimated population of six million feral hogs and we seem to have a situation on our hands.

My specific concern as State Veterinarian is that these animals are a reservoir for disease that could impact the domestic livestock industry as well as humans. Five to 10% of feral swine are infected with Brucella suis. We have been free of Brucella suis in Alabama since the late 1900s. That was quite an accomplishment. And the way domestic swine are raised today, there is less opportunity for exposure to feral swine. However, with the growing number of people who want to raise their own food and go back to the way great grandpa did it with hogs on pasture, the opportunity for exposure increases.

Brucellosis is also a zoonotic disease (a disease that can jump from animals to humans). A long time ago I read an article in some veterinary publication that gave an account of a veterinarian who had become infected with Brucella suis in his work with swine. I am sure he had developed one of the more severe cases, but he became so debilitated by the disease, he had to go on disability. Several years ago, contracting brucellosis was a hazard of the meat processing industry. With the elimination of brucellosis in our domestic animals, the threat exists for those who hunt and would field-dress feral swine or process them.

Additionally, 20-40% of feral swine are infected with pseudorabies. While this may not be a huge issue with it getting into our domestic swine population, the possibility does exist. Pigs are the natural host for pseudorabies, also known as the mad itch, and it is often fatal to other species which become infected with this specific herpes virus. It is not uncommon for dogs that are used to hunt and trap feral swine to become infected and die from the disease.

When I use a term like “billion,” I can’t immediately picture something that big. It does help when I realize that a billion is a thousand million. Anyway, the USDA estimates $1.5 billion cost in the United States each year in damages and control of these pests. They cause damage to crops, pastures, timber and wildlife habitat. USDA is announcing some funding to help landowners who have been pillaged by these animals.

I participate in a Feral Pig Working Group that includes ALFA, NRCS, USDA-APHIS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Auburn University, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, AFW, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and others. The large number of entities involved reflects how far-reaching the damage from the animals can be. Not only is the feral pig situation something that will only get worse if we ignore it, it seems to be getting worse with us giving it a fair amount of attention.

I suppose feral swine are sort of the perfect storm. They have no natural predators. They have extremely high reproductive rates. They are facultative omnivores, which means they will eat anything. Even thinning out the population by removing some feral pigs, if one bred sow is left, she will have more nutrition and become even more reproductive.

I would issue a plea that you do not trap and move these animals. First, because it is illegal and, second, because you may be moving the animals into areas where they have not already populated. There have been feral pig sightings in all 67 counties. However, populations have not been established everywhere. Their territory does keep expanding. I believe it will be difficult to ever get rid of wild hogs, especially in places like the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta swamps. If you feel the need to hunt these animals, go to them. Do not try to bring them to your area if they are not already there.

So be aware of what is on your property. If you already have feral swine, you know how serious the issue is. Work with your local game warden to find out about hunting and trapping guidelines. Use caution if processing these animal carcasses. They could have Brucella suis. Also dispose of carcasses properly. You can get educated about the feral swine issue through USDA, NRCS and your county Extension office.

Alabama is not a large swine industry state, but we do want to protect what we have. We will continue to work with the other agencies and entities that have a “dog in the fight” to continue to try to reduce the population and damage caused by feral swine.