ective control tools where appropriately used in suitable habitats.
- Other control tools such as fencing and the Judas pig technique can be effective but can
also be expensive and have high logistical requirements. Habitat modification and the
effects of hunting and harvesting on conservation values have not been researched to any
extent in Australia. Aerial baiting with single-dose meat baits may have high non-target
impacts in some circumstances.
- The humaneness of a control tool is an important consideration to avoid suffering of feral
- Many of the currently available, yet effective feral pig control tools, may potentially
impact on feral pig welfare in some way (minor to marked). However, the management of
feral pigs is an imperative due to the level of feral pig impacts on the welfare of other
animals and humans, and on the sustainability of natural resources. Therefore it is the
responsibility of land managers to minimise the suffering of feral pigs by utilising the
most humane yet effective control tool in a given situation. Support of research into new
tools which are demonstrably more humane and effective than some established methods
should also be encouraged.
- The assessment of the humaneness of a control tool can be assessed with the five step
humaneness review framework developed by Littin & O’Connor (2002) to assess the
humaneness of vertebrate pest control toxins in New Zealand. However, the data
necessary to definitively assess the humaneness of most control tools is incomplete, and in
most cases, data available are primarily concerned with efficacy.
- The available evidence suggests that warfarin, yellow phosphorus and hunting with dogs
may impact on feral pig welfare in a moderate or marked manner. However, the evidence
is incomplete. It is recommended that warfarin and yellow phosphorus be phased out of
use over the short to medium term.
- The available evidence suggests that 1080 and the Judas pig technique may produce minor
welfare compromises in feral pigs. However, the evidence is incomplete. It is
recommended that these methods are retained for use. 1080 is not necessarily a substitute
for warfarin since it kills a smaller proportion of pigs in pen and most field trials although
bait type can affect the efficacy of different toxins.
- The available evidence suggests that trapping, fencing, some forms of habitat
modification, ground shooting and aerial shooting are humane means of controlling feral
pigs where appropriately conducted, but these methods can be relatively costly.
- Some methods used overseas, such as lethal wire snaring, are not acceptable in Australia.
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