Bundaberg Regional Council is utilising innovative technology to track feral pigs by using GPS collars to provide real-time information on the animals’ movements.
The surveillance program, called Pigs in Space, will provide an insight into the behaviour of feral pigs and help to control their spread.
Environment portfolio spokesperson Cr Wayne Honor said Council’s Land Protection team was working with Wallaville landowners to further develop the action plan.
“Three pig traps have been placed in Wallaville on private property and pre-feeding of the pigs will be undertaken to attract them into the portable traps,” he said.
“Once caught they will be fitted with the GPS collar which will use satellite technology to track the animals in real-time, allowing for officers to find out their exact movements.”
Cr Honor said Wallaville was chosen as the initial trial site due to the number of pigs that were present in the area.
He said feral pigs caused major ecological damage to habitats through soil disturbance, trampling of vegetation and the spread of weeds.
“They are also known to consume a range of native animals including reptiles, small mammals and marine and freshwater turtles,” Cr Honor said.
“Pigs also contribute to crop damage and are known to carry many diseases that can infect other livestock or be transmitted to humans.”
Cr Honor said through the Pigs in Space program, landowners would be provided with valuable information to assist with feral pig management.
“Data will be shared with landholders to help develop management strategies and carry out coordinated control,” he said.
“Importantly, Pigs in Space will help to reduce the impact on the region’s natural environment and agricultural industry.”
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