Feral Swine in New York Presentation
OutdoorHub 05.29.12
The American Wildlife Conservation Foundation is sponsoring a presentation on the current status and control of feral swine in New York as part of its spring meeting, June 12, 2012 at the New York State Grange Headquarters in Cortland, New York. The speaker will be Wildlife Disease Biologist, Justin Gansowski of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).
“Many people are aware of the feral swine problem in southern states like Texas and Florida, but these animals are also becoming more prevalent in New York State and causing damage that affects numerous State residents” said AWCF President, Dr. Peg Sauer. “It is time that we learn about this harmful and destructive invasive species before the situation gets out of control.” So far, feral swine have established populations in 5 of New York’s 62 counties. Feral swine, (also called feral pigs, feral hogs, wild boar, wild hogs, razorbacks, Eurasian wild boar, and Russian wild boar) are domestic livestock and pet pigs that were either released or escaped captivity; or Eurasian boars imported for use on hunting ranches; and a hybrid between the two.
According to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, feral swine in New York can have tremendous negative impacts on native plants, wildlife, livestock, agriculture, and humans. Feral swine:
- Eat acorns and other nuts and directly compete with deer, bear, turkey, squirrel and waterfowl for food.
- Consume the nests and eggs of ground nesting birds and reptiles.
- Kill and eat fawns and young domestic livestock.
- Eat almost any agricultural crop as well as tree seeds and seedlings. In addition, their rooting and wallowing habits destroy crops and native vegetation, cause erosion, and negatively affect water quality.
- Can be aggressive toward humans and their pets- their razor sharp tusks causing injury.
- Carry and can transmit several serious diseases including swine brucellosis, E. coli, trichinosis, and pseudorabies to livestock and /or humans. Some of these diseases, if introduced to domestic swine, could decimate the pork industry.
The feature presentation will begin at 1 p.m. at the Grange Hall, 100 Grange Place, Cortland, NY. There is no fee for attendance at the meeting and no registration is required. The meeting will be of statewide interest to farmers, sportsmen, local governments, and conservation organizations interested in the control of invasive species. The public is invited to attend. Depending on conditions, a short field trip to a nearby feral swine site may be offered.
The American Wildlife Conservation Foundation was formed in 1911 to enhance fish and wildlife resources through funding of conservation, research, and education to ensure enjoyment of these resources by current and future generations. “Over our one-hundred year history, the Foundation accomplished this goal by annually funding grants supporting scientific research and developing outreach materials to enhance scientific wildlife management and conservation of wild habitats” said Dr. Sauer.
To learn more about the conference, visit www.awcf1911.org.
