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Wild pig damage & conflicts

Date

2014-09

Authors

Strickland, Bronson, speaker
Higginbotham, Billy, moderator
International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Abstract

In North America, wild pigs have been a source of conflict since their introduction in the 1500's. The destructive foraging behavior, combined with a diverse omnivorous diet and prodigious reproductive capacity make the wild pig one of the most costly invasive species in North America. Wild pigs directly impact row-crop agriculture, pasture, forest regeneration, and water quality and even depredate juvenile livestock. Wild pigs also cause extensive environmental damage by competing with native wildlife for food, and by depredation of herpetofauna, small mammals, ground-nesting birds, and opportunistically, the young of large mammals. Wild pigs have been linked to the spread of invasive plants and may be changing the species composition of some forests by selective consumption of seeds and seedlings. In many areas, wild pigs are now common in suburban areas causing damage to lawns, landscaping and golf courses. The first step in dealing with a problem is recognizing there is a problem. This presentation will provide the framework and justification for the symposium, and segue to subsequent presentations on proactive techniques landowners and organizations are taking to control this pest. Unfortunately, as wild pig populations continue to expand throughout the U.S. damage and conflict will only increase. This symposium aims to inform the audience of the dangers of ignoring the emerging problem of wild pigs in the U.S. and will propose solutions for stemming their spread.

Description

Moderator: Billy Higginbotham.
Presented at the 8th international congress for wildlife and livelihoods on private and communal lands: livestock, tourism, and spirit, that was held on September 7-12, 2014 in Estes Park, Colorado.

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Subject

Wildlife management -- Congresses
Range management -- Congresses

Citation

Associated Publications