Did you know feral pigs cause about $106.5 million in agriculture damage in Australia each year?
They reduce the efficiency of primary production in agriculture, pose a significant risk to water resources, threaten conservation and cause damage and destruction to biodiversity.
Feral pigs are a relatively new problem facing farmers and landholders in the southwest of Western Australia and unfortunately, they appear to be expanding their range at a great speed with their high rate of reproduction and the southwest providing an ideal habitat for them to flourish.
We are currently focusing on the Augusta-Margaret River Shire area and are asking landholders to notify us of any sightings. This could be if you’ve seen any evidence of feral pig damage, digging or wallowing for example, or actual feral pig sightings.
- Joanna Wren, Lower Blackwood LCDC
The Lower Blackwood Land Care District Committee (LBLCDC) are working in collaboration with the Lower Blackwood Vertebrate Pest Management Group (LBVPMG) to address the Catchment’s feral pig problem.
The group recently received project funding from the Augusta-Margaret River Shire’s Environmental Management Fund to support the qualified and experienced field officers in their work.
LBLCDC executive officer Jo Wren said the group was seeking landholders’ help to track feral pig activity in the region.
“We are currently focusing on the Augusta-Margaret River Shire area and are asking landholders to notify us of any sightings,” Ms Wren said.
“This could be if you’ve seen any evidence of feral pig damage, digging or wallowing for example, or actual feral pig sightings.
“To make the most of this collaborative project, we need to find out where the pigs are.
“That way we can inform the LBVPMG field officers and they can begin to engage with affected land owners and work toward an effective solution”.
You can easily register your feral pig sightings on the Lower Blackwood LCDC website: http://lowerblackwood.com.au/pest-management-group/
This project is currently funded by the Augusta-Margaret River Shire, the Shire of Nannup, and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
The project is facilitated through a continuing partnership with the Lower Blackwood LCDC the Lower Blackwood Vertebrate Pest Management Group.
For more information contact Joanna Wren at the Lower Blackwood LCDC on Joanna.wren@lowerblackwood.com.au or 08 9758 4021