muleman
Gone But Not Forgotten
Wild pigs proliferating across central New York
Feral swine established in upstate, threatening ecology
11:39 PM, Aug. 2, 2011 |
40 Comments
A boar travels west on I-86 in between the Lounsberry and Nichols exits. / Copyright 2001 The Binghamton Pr
Feral swine, with their ecologically destructive dining habits, have been confirmed in central New York, according to a 2010 United States Department of Agriculture report.
Specifically, the wild pigs have established breeding populations in Cortland, Onondaga and Tioga counties. The study, funded by the New York State Invasive Species Council, shows that 27 feral swine were captured and killed in those three counties, and two tested positive for pseudorabies virus, which can spread to and kill livestock and pets.
Feral pigs, with the scientific name "sus scrofa," are omnivores, said Gordon Batcheller, a wildlife biologist with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. They have a gastrointestinal system that's evolved to consume literally anything, from the eggs of nesting birds and acorns to edible roots they've found after grubbing through the earth.
"From an ecological standpoint, they're non-discriminating. They'll eat anything that has any caloric value," Batcheller said.
This kind of eating behavior means ecological damage. In Southern states where feral swine have been established for longer than the decade or so that New York has seen the animals, their presence has been devastating. In the United States, feral swine are relatives of Eurasian wild boars, wild-living escaped domesticated pigs, or a hybrid of the two, according to the USDA report. They are considered an invasive species, leading to efforts to rid New York of the animals.
"That, then, is the reason we're even having this conversation," Batcheller said. "They're welcome in a barn yard, but we don't want them on our landscape."
Numbers, though, are difficult to pin down because of the nature of the animals. They're secretive, said Paul Curtis, a natural resources professor at Cornell University.
The DEC estimates feral pigs in New York State at hundreds. To help curb the population, the DEC has worked with farm owners to set traps with strong fencing and one-way doors, but that process is time-consuming and expensive.
"Pigs are notoriously difficult to keep confined. They're just very smart. They really are. They're hard to keep in confinement and they can take advantage of weak fencing," Batcheller said.
Beyond that, hunters have been advised that if they see a feral swine, they may shoot it lawfully if they have a hunting license, Batcheller said.
"Our feeling in New York is that we might have an opportunity to do something because they're in low numbers. But we do feel that they have potential to expand," Batcheller said. "At this point the most important thing we can do is to raise public awareness."
Justin Gansowski, a wildlife disease biologist with the USDA, has been conducting disease testing on feral swine.
"In New York state, we're concerned because feral swine pose a threat to agriculture, to natural resources, native and wildlife habitats, to human health and property. That's our concern. These farmers and citizens are sustaining damage to their property and their agriculture," Gansowski said.
The animal has a large head, long flat snout, and a large muscular shoulder area with a tapered body toward the hind quarters. The coloration can be extremely variable, Batcheller said, with the swine having black, tan, and splotched appearances. The animals that are more Eurasian wild boar have a long dark bristly coat of hair. Often they have external canines that protrude from mouth and can be razor sharp and deadly, Batcheller said.
"They look very different, but genetically, they're the same. It's kind of like breeds of dogs," Batcheller said.
Since 2008, the 2010 USDA report notes, there have been three cases of feral swine aggression toward humans in New York, two against hunters and one involving someone working with domestic pigs. The report also shows two Tioga County reports of attacks against dogs, one of which died.
"It's like with any wild animal. They are best avoided. No one should thing it's a good idea to get close to a wild animal."
The DEC is asking for New York residents to report sightings at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/70843.html.
The USDA also asks New Yorkers to call (866) 4-USDAWS to report feral swine sightings.
Feral swine established in upstate, threatening ecology
11:39 PM, Aug. 2, 2011 |
40 Comments
A boar travels west on I-86 in between the Lounsberry and Nichols exits. / Copyright 2001 The Binghamton Pr
Feral swine, with their ecologically destructive dining habits, have been confirmed in central New York, according to a 2010 United States Department of Agriculture report.
Specifically, the wild pigs have established breeding populations in Cortland, Onondaga and Tioga counties. The study, funded by the New York State Invasive Species Council, shows that 27 feral swine were captured and killed in those three counties, and two tested positive for pseudorabies virus, which can spread to and kill livestock and pets.
Feral pigs, with the scientific name "sus scrofa," are omnivores, said Gordon Batcheller, a wildlife biologist with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. They have a gastrointestinal system that's evolved to consume literally anything, from the eggs of nesting birds and acorns to edible roots they've found after grubbing through the earth.
"From an ecological standpoint, they're non-discriminating. They'll eat anything that has any caloric value," Batcheller said.
This kind of eating behavior means ecological damage. In Southern states where feral swine have been established for longer than the decade or so that New York has seen the animals, their presence has been devastating. In the United States, feral swine are relatives of Eurasian wild boars, wild-living escaped domesticated pigs, or a hybrid of the two, according to the USDA report. They are considered an invasive species, leading to efforts to rid New York of the animals.
"That, then, is the reason we're even having this conversation," Batcheller said. "They're welcome in a barn yard, but we don't want them on our landscape."
Numbers, though, are difficult to pin down because of the nature of the animals. They're secretive, said Paul Curtis, a natural resources professor at Cornell University.
The DEC estimates feral pigs in New York State at hundreds. To help curb the population, the DEC has worked with farm owners to set traps with strong fencing and one-way doors, but that process is time-consuming and expensive.
"Pigs are notoriously difficult to keep confined. They're just very smart. They really are. They're hard to keep in confinement and they can take advantage of weak fencing," Batcheller said.
Beyond that, hunters have been advised that if they see a feral swine, they may shoot it lawfully if they have a hunting license, Batcheller said.
"Our feeling in New York is that we might have an opportunity to do something because they're in low numbers. But we do feel that they have potential to expand," Batcheller said. "At this point the most important thing we can do is to raise public awareness."
Justin Gansowski, a wildlife disease biologist with the USDA, has been conducting disease testing on feral swine.
"In New York state, we're concerned because feral swine pose a threat to agriculture, to natural resources, native and wildlife habitats, to human health and property. That's our concern. These farmers and citizens are sustaining damage to their property and their agriculture," Gansowski said.
The animal has a large head, long flat snout, and a large muscular shoulder area with a tapered body toward the hind quarters. The coloration can be extremely variable, Batcheller said, with the swine having black, tan, and splotched appearances. The animals that are more Eurasian wild boar have a long dark bristly coat of hair. Often they have external canines that protrude from mouth and can be razor sharp and deadly, Batcheller said.
"They look very different, but genetically, they're the same. It's kind of like breeds of dogs," Batcheller said.
Since 2008, the 2010 USDA report notes, there have been three cases of feral swine aggression toward humans in New York, two against hunters and one involving someone working with domestic pigs. The report also shows two Tioga County reports of attacks against dogs, one of which died.
"It's like with any wild animal. They are best avoided. No one should thing it's a good idea to get close to a wild animal."
The DEC is asking for New York residents to report sightings at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/70843.html.
The USDA also asks New Yorkers to call (866) 4-USDAWS to report feral swine sightings.
