Forest Fire Management Victoria's Hume invasive species planning manager David Pasztaleniec said feral pigs posed a serious threat to agriculture productivity and the environment, so this work was critical in protecting the land.
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“We have trapped and killed 64 pigs, many of which were pregnant, to reduce the number of feral pigs on public land in state forests and national parks in the Tatong, Samaria and Strathbogie areas,” Mr Pasztaleniec said.
“We are also working with landowners, especially those who adjoin public land, to better understand the level of impacts the pigs are having.”
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Mr Pasztaleniec said the project had used remote cameras and satellite tracking to better pinpoint feral pig movements.
“Feral pigs have selective feeding patterns and are omnivores, meaning they eat plants and animals,” he said.
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“They trample and dig for underground parts of plants and invertebrates, which can have severe consequences on Victoria’s natural environment.
“They are also a pest for farmers, because they can carry a number of diseases which can kill livestock, and their feeding behaviour can heavily degrade agricultural land.”
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The project, which commenced in January 2019, is funded through the Victorian Government’s Biodiversity Response Planning Program and involves FFMVic, Agriculture Victoria, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Parks Victoria.
To report feral pigs in the project area please phone the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning’s Benalla office on (03) 5761 1611 or email David.Pasztaleniec@delwp.vic.gov.au
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