Feral
Pigs
By Blake Helwig
When Was the Species Introduced Into
Australia?
• Pigs were brought to
Australia on the first fleet by
early European colonists in
the early 1880’s. Pigs are not
native to Australia.
Why They Were Introduced?
• Domestic pigs were
introduced to Australia
by early settlers.
Accidental and
deliberate releases
resulted in the wild pig
population in Australia
Why Have They Survived So
Well?
• Feral pigs live were there is
warm weather they like to
sun bake. They don’t like
hot weather because they
don’t have sweat glands so
they roll around to keep
cool.
Also they have to be around
water to keep refreshed. Pigs
like the scrub like lignum
they hide and sleep in there.
Map of Australia
of the Feral Pig
Population
Darker colour where the feral pig
found most common.
Diseases Associated
With the Feral Pig?
• Feral pigs carry endemic
diseases such as
leptospirosis, brucellosis,and
melioidosis.
Also the Australian
community if foot and mouth
disease were introduced to
Australia.
Is estimated at $3billion in
lost of trade.
Control Techniques?
• It is important to control feral pigs to
prevent the build up of large numbers.
Trapping, shooting and poisoning are
effective control methods.
How Is the Species Population
Regulated?
• By using control techniques, as said already
you need to trap, shoot or poison.
What Effects Does the Feral Pig
Have on the Landscape and
Indigenous Flora and Fauna?
• Eating or destroying native plants and animals
• Wallowing in fouling and disturbing soils in dams,
waterholes and other moist or swampy areas
• Digging for food. It has a major impact on
vegetation and forest litter, particularly along
drainage lines and around swamps and lagoons, or
after rain when the ground is softer. These actions
upset stream banks and speed up erosion