Feral pigs ‘deliberately and illegally released’ across South Australia

South Australian authorities say more than 80 feral pigs culled in the state’s South East were likely released illegally by members of the community. 

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board has recorded three outbreaks of feral pigs in the past 18 months, which it has worked to eradicate before populations could be established. 

The outbreaks were geographically isolated from one another and while the first two only involved 10 and two pigs respectively, the third has resulted in more than 70 being killed by trapping and aerial shooting. 

A study which is looking at the genetics of feral pigs across the state hopes to pinpoint where new populations may have come from. 

But the board’s manager of landscape operations, Mike Stevens, said all signs pointed to the latest outbreaks being illegal releases.

“They’re deliberately and illegally released across the region to establish them for personal use or for whatever reason,” he said. 

“We just encourage anyone with intelligence to contact the Limestone Coast Landscape Board and let us know what’s going on. 

“It’s one thing to get rid of the pigs when they’re here but it’s better to make sure they don’t arrive in the first place.”

He said a pregnant wild sow could lead to a population growth of about 75 pigs over the course of a year in ideal breeding conditions. 

Widespread damage

Mr Stevens said local landholders had been accommodating to eradication efforts. 

“Feral pigs have a significant impact right across Australia to the tune of millions of dollars and significant environmental impacts as well,” he said. 

“What landholders could see if they got on their property is significant ploughing and loss of pasture. 

“They can also predate on lambs as well, so the last thing we’d want is for them to establish in prime lamb country.” 

The fine for illegally releasing feral pigs is up to $125,000 or two years imprisonment. 

Mr Stevens said feral pig issues had extended over the border into south-west Victoria.

He said that was also a result of illegal releases.  

“What we need on the South Australian side of the border [is] we need everyone working together, especially along that border country,” he said. 

“We need people giving us the heads up if they are moving close to the border and making their way over this side, we need to be on the front foot.” 

Conservation and Hunting Alliance of South Australia president Graham Stopp said his group didn’t condone illegally releasing feral pigs. 

“Breeding and relocating animals for the purpose of hunting is something we absolutely don’t support and is against the law,” he said. 

“If we knew about it, we’d report it to the department immediately.”