Assessing whole-sounder removal versus traditional control for reducing invasive wild pig (Sus scrofa) populations

Journal Article · Sun Mar 26 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Pest Management Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7478· OSTI ID:1968800

Kilgo, John C. ^[1]; Vukovich, Mark ^[2]; Cox, Kyle J. ^[2]; Larsen, Michael ^[3]; Mims, Thomas T. ^[3]; Garabedian, James E. ^[2]

---

1. USDA Forest Service, New Ellenton, SC (United States). Southern Research Station; USDA Forest Service-Savannah River
2. USDA Forest Service, New Ellenton, SC (United States). Southern Research Station
3. USDA Forest Service, Savannah River, New Ellenton, SC (United States)

Trapping is commonly used as the primary management tool in attempts to reduce invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa), but traditional trapping techniques are often ineffective. However, recently developed traps permit the capture of entire social groups (sounders) of wild pigs, and the strategy of whole-sounder removal may achieve more effective control. Our objective was to experimentally compare traditional control (TC; primarily traditional trapping, but including hunting with dogs, and opportunistic shooting) and whole-sounder removal (WSR) strategies by assessing density reduction and removal rate after 1 and 2 years of treatment. After 1 year of trapping, average wild pig density on WSR units declined 53% and remained stable after the second year, whereas on TC units, pig density did not differ after trapping, although it declined 33% and remained stable after the second year of trapping. The median removal rate (percentage of uniquely marked pigs present at the beginning of each year that were removed) was 42.5% for WSR units and 0.0% for TC units during 2018 and were 29.6% from WSR units and 5.3% from TC units during 2019. WSR removal was more effective at reducing wild pig density than TC, but factors such as previous exposure of this population to traditional traps and the lack of barriers to recolonization from surrounding areas may have reduced WSR efficacy. WSR can effectively reduce wild pig density to a greater extent than TC, but managers should recognize the additional time and expense necessary for implementation.

• Research Organization: USDA Forest Service-Savannah River, SC
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security (AU)
• Contributing Organization: USDA Forest Service-Savannah River, SC
• Grant/Contract Number: 89303720SEM000037
• OSTI ID: 1968800
• Report Number(s): 23-06--P; 23-06-P
• Journal Information: Pest Management Science, Journal Name: Pest Management Science Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 79; ISSN 1526-498X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Sus scrofa
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
invasive species control
invasive wild pig
removal rate
spatial capture-recapture
whole-sounder removal