In my last blog I wrote about the increase in the Bald Eagle population in New York State, but the Bald Eagle is not the only wildlife on the rise, so are Feral Swine. Thankfully, I did not see a Wild Boar in my backyard, but I recently heard a rumor that a hiker encountered a pack of them somewhere in the Gunks! Now I do not know whether this is fact or fiction, but I do know that there is cause for concern for the rise in their population in New York State.
Feral Swine were imported for hunting purposes and have escaped the hunting grounds. They are extremely adaptable and prolific animals. A young feral swine can begin breeding as early as six months of age if the weather and food supply are ample. They can breed several times a year and give birth to anywhere from two to eight piglets. An adult weighs between 150-300 pounds and they are typically black, but they can be any color with any pattern. They have narrow heads, wide shoulders and long snouts and compared to a domestic hog, they have longer legs, smaller ears and their coat is coarser. They have tusks that never stop growing and are razor sharp. They are lean and athletic and present a risk to other wildlife, domestic livestock and humans.
They are direct competitors with some of the wildlife that we work with including, squirrels, deer and waterfowl because they eat acorns and nuts. They also eat eggs and prey on fawns and young livestock. They constantly root and have already costs farmers in New York State tens of thousands of dollars after destroying crops in fields. Their rooting not only causes destruction to crops and vegetation, it destroys wildlife habitats, it causes erosion and effects water quality. They can be aggressive to pets and humans and carry diseases that can be transmitted to both humans and livestock.
Unlike the Bald Eagle, the Wild Boar has the potential to be a menace/threat to humans and animals of New York State. Thankfully New York State is recognizing this and is taking steps to control the population. If you are interested in learning more, there will be a presentation at the Community Room of the Glens Falls Public Library on Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. I am not sure I will be able to make it, but if you go, please do drop us a note and let us know what you learned!
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