WORKING together to manage and share data about the growing problem of feral pigs in the Mansfield Shire and adjoining areas was the strong message from last week’s workshop hosted by Up2Us Landcare Alliance group and DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment & Climate Action) at the Mansfield Showgrounds.

The focus was on building capacity of landholders to manage pigs on private property with DEECA outlining current support available to landholders in the area.

The feral pig control session follows a workshop held locally in February 2023 with public land managers and private landholders coming together again with other experts in the field to tackle the problem.

Following a welcome by DEECA’s Statewide Invasive Species spokesperson Mick Freeman, Dr Heather Channon, National Feral Pig Management coordinator, was introduced.

The National Feral Pig Plan Action Plan 2021 – 2031 was developed to address the threat feral pig populations have on Australia’s environmental, cultural and social assets.

The plan is about reducing the impact on landscapes including farmland and addressing the risks they pose in terms of disease transmission.

“We are building a network that is supportive, coordinated and collaborative,” Dr Channon said.

She emphasised a “a bottom up approach” to deal with the well-established pest which was now across “a lot of land mass” with an estimated 23 million pigs across the nation but it could be a lot higher.

“A lot of gaps in Victoria,” she said which required updated maps to find new areas of feral pig populations.

According to Agriculture Victoria feral pigs have been located at several locations throughout the state, though their populations are mostly isolated and occur at relatively low densities.

Most established populations can be found in parts of north east Victoria and the central west, along the Murray River, far south-west Victoria, the Otways and East Gippsland.

However, new populations continue to emerge as conditions change and landholders in the Mansfield and adjoining areas are dealing with an ongoing problem.

Dr Channon stressed that biosecurity is a shared responsibility with landowners and why she was addressing it at the workshop.

Landholders ask what is in it for them, but she highlighted the benefits of a joint management plan for the locality.

However, once you start there is the need to “keep going”.

“You need consistent pressure on the (feral pig) population and the message is all about people,” said Dr Channon.

“Being able to cover larger areas is the benefit of working together with a whole of landscape approach”.

Dr Channon acknowledged that to ensure “sustained best practice” for management of feral pigs, there was a cost and that her department did not receive funding to assist landholders but was able to provide management and monitoring tools.

What does success look like?

It would be defined management goals and measurable targets; demonstrated return on investment; long term programs; connected, supported and engaged communities; collaboration; coordinated activities over large areas; monitoring the impacts of population change, better collection of data; learning from one another; evidence-based management; effective communication; doing things differently and forming trusted partnerships.

“We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results,” said Dr Channon.

“Can’t manage what we don’t measure.

“What’s needed is data and more data,” she said.

DEECA’s Mr Freeman stressed the importance of getting those around you organised and reporting any sightings or signs of feral pigs on private or public land to the department on 136 186 or using the online platform FeralScan to record activities.

“We’re got to report and keep getting reports so we can get some funding and traction as a government department to do something,” he said.

The value of using a national online program to report was explained by NSW Department of Primary Industries research officer, Peter West who has more than 20 years’ experience in pest animal research and management.

Mr West has developed national maps of pest distributions including pigs to inform policy, research and management using community-based tools (including phone Apps).

FeralPigScan is a free resource for landholders, Landcare groups, pest control professionals, local government and biosecurity organisations.

“Pigs move constantly around the landscape; you can use that information to plan control measures and see trends where pigs are spotted,” Mr West said.

This data helps in deciding where to place the baits and traps.

Anyone can use FeralPigScan to record information about feral pigs in their local area and Mr West stressed all information you record is managed securely.

Unless you have agreed to be part of a private landholder group using FeralPigScan, your information will remain confidential, and your location cannot be identified by others.

The biosecurity risks that feral pigs pose to not only livestock but also humans were covered by Agriculture Victoria district veterinarian Dr Kate Rowe describing Victoria as a “powerhouse for food and fibre production”.

Wild pigs cause massive damage to Australia's wildlife and crops.

They can also spread African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth disease which would devastate the livestock industry in the state.

The community is encouraged to work closely with the department to provide samples from deceased feral pigs for disease monitoring.

Dr Rowe explained this can include faeces, ear notch, blood or external parasites (e.g. lice, ticks).

Contact the department to organise one of the vet team to assist.

Agriculture Victoria’s biosecurity manager Jason Wishart gave a comprehensive overview of the feral pigs’ biology and ecology.

“There is always more to learn about feral pig management,” said Mr Wishart.

He outlined the various signs of feral pig activity and the ideal conditions for their survival.

While Mansfield was considered a more isolated region, new areas were emerging.

“Food, water and shelter important for feral pigs,” said Mr Wishart.

He conceded that eradication of the pest species in Victoria was unlikely.

However, it could be possible in some local areas or at least containment to reduce the damage to farmland and harm to livestock.

Breeding is triggered by what food is available with up to two weaned litters in 15 months with five to six piglets in each litter during a good season.

Agricultural Victoria’s engagement officer vertebrate pests, Fraser Harrison provided a demonstration of some feral pig traps including bait feeders, cages and the newest addition Pig Brig.

According to Up2Us feedback provided to DEECA from attending landholders was the need for pig control on public land adjoining private property.

Mansfield DEECA’s senior vertebrate species management officer, David Klippel, can be contacted by impacted landholders who can borrow the traps for use on their properties on 0428 503 169.

Any other information or contact numbers can be obtained from Up2Us on (03) 5779 1593.