Every day 31 feral pigs have been killed as part of an unprecedented pest eradication program in southern and western NSW.
Between June 2016 and June 2019, 34,519 feral pigs were culled across the Riverina, Murray and Western Local Land Services (LLS) regions, which combined, covers more than 1.3 million hectares.
It was part of the NSW Government's Western Riverina pig project, where public and private landholders worked together using a combination of aerial and ground shoots as well as baiting.
Infrared thermal surveys were conducted annually as part of the project showing the average pig density reduced dramatically over the three years, from a peak of 11.66 feral pigs per square kilometre in 2017, to as low as 0.66 feral pigs per square kilometre in 2019.
While this program ran for three years, after such positive results, it will now become an ongoing project known as the Western Riverina Pest Project, expanding the scope to control other pests such as feral deer.
Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said the project delivered great results for landholders, who worked hand-in-hand with LLS to significantly reduce the number of feral pigs out west.
"Feral pigs are huge burden for farmers especially in the west of the state, so anything we can do as government to help reduce the pig population while taking pressure off farmers is a good thing particularly at the moment," Mr Marshall said.
"It's another string to our bow in terms of feral pest management programs, which we have really stepped up in recent years.
"By using a combination of aerial and ground shoots as well as baiting, these results demonstrate how effective coordinated pest control can be when private landholders and public landholders work together."
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
