Boom time for pest species
Despite being limited by flooded roads, storms and fuel shortages due to international conflicts, more than 250 pest species were removed from land around the internationally significant Coongie Lakes Ramsar wetlands in May.
More than 50 hours of control work was undertaken by National Parks and Wildlife Service SA aerial marksmen using thermal imaging equipment. They removed 79 feral pigs, 84 camels and more than 100 wild horses, protecting threatened plants and animals and the wetland environment.
Last year’s dry flood and ongoing rain events in 2026 has created perfect breeding conditions for feral pigs in the far north, and information provided to the board is that captured feral pigs are in excellent condition.
It comes at a time when the board is receiving reports of feral pig incursions on properties in areas further south and west than historical impacts and populations.
The funding secured for the additional aerial pest control not only makes an impact on the current population, but also future generations of local pest species.
It also decreases the risk of disease spread. Feral pigs have been tested in the past and are known to carry Japanese encephalitis, brucellosis and are considered a risk for spreading bird flu should it reach the Coongie Lakes system.
Once established local populations can be very difficult to remove. Trapping and baiting programs have been shown to be more effective at population control than ground shooting alone.
Landholders can familiarise themselves with signs of feral pigs by reading our fact sheet
All sightings must be reported through feral scan https://feralscan.org.au/feralpigscan or to your local Community Landscape Officer.
The aerial control program was funded by the Australian Government.
