Simulation of Wild Pig Control via Hunting and Contraceptives
Abstract
Invasive wild pigs prey on at-risk fauna, disrupt fragile habitat, destroy agricultural crops, and create unique transmission risks for hu-man and livestock diseases such as pseudorabies, swine brucellosis, and avian influenza. Prolific reproduction, generalist feeding behaviors, and adaptive intelligence have impeded eradication efforts, and the inability to predict pig movement diminishes the efficiency and effectiveness of population control techniques. This work developed a spatially explicit individual-based model to compare the impacts of hunting, baiting with oral contraceptives, and the combination of both on the Fort Benning, GA feral pig population. Results suggest that the combination of hunting and contraception would be more effective than either approach used alone. Wildlife managers can use both these results and the model itself to inform management decisions under a variety of conditions at Fort Benning and other sites. Further, this work takes a step toward understanding and predicting feral pig movement drivers, the improved understanding of which could elucidate new options for management of wild pig populations and their impacts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA590472
Entities
People
- James D. Westervelt
- Jennifer L. Burton
- Stephen Ditchkoff
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center