Lack of action on roaming pigs is a concern
Recently the Central Coast Council, in Tasmania’s northwest, raised the issue of damage caused by a herd of 150 pigs running wild at Gunns Plains, and the council’s lack of effective powers to control them. While these pigs are not officially classed as feral, it makes little difference to the damage they are currently causing and their potential to become a major environmental as well as agricultural threat. The ABC has reported on the issue HERE.
Once they become established in difficult terrain, pigs are almost impossible to eradicate. This has been the experience in Strezlecki National Park on Flinders Island, where feral pigs have been present since 1877 and are now regarded as a management, rather than control, issue. Pigs there threaten at least 30 species of plants and animals, some of which are listed as threatened. As well as the national park, they are also present in Ramsar-listed wetlands, where they cause significant damage.
As the Invasive Species Council has pointed out, the wild pig population in Tasmania could grow by 85% per year and we could have 30,000 wild (or feral) pigs on mainland Tasmania within a decade, if they are not controlled. Central Coast Council is lobbying for the state government to amend legislation to allow local government and state authorities greater powers to control domestic animals running wild.
The apparent lack of government interest and response to the clear evidence of pigs running wild on mainland Tasmania is in stark contrast with the swift, and expensive, establishment of the Fox-free Taskforce in 2001 in response to the possibility of foxes on the loose in Tasmania. We have seen time and again the massive damage done by invasive species to our precious natural places and the immense expenditure and effort required to control or, preferably, eradicate them. We only need to think about Macquarie Island.
TNPA has written to the environment minister raising our concerns about the potential for wild pigs to invade our national parks and other natural areas, potentially causing untold environmental damage and becoming established in difficult terrain. We pointed out that controlling invasive species at the outset is much more effective and cost-effective than waiting until they become established.
Postscript: We received a remarkably prompt response from the Minister for Primary Industries, Jane Howlett, stating that the pigs are not feral. The letter also pointed out that Biosecurity Tasmania is monitoring the Gunns Plain situation in conjunction with the council, that changes to relevant legislative powers for local government will be considered and that Biosecurity Tasmania has the power to deal with feral pigs if they become an invasive species. For the moment, we can only hope that the council receives the assistance it requires to stop the roaming domestic pigs before they become a wider problem.