The National Feral Pig Action Plan
Stakeholder Forums
Stakeholder Forums for the National Feral Pig Action Plan are held on a regular basis. These virtual forums aim to update stakeholders on the progress of the Plan’s implementation, present key learnings from coordinated feral pig management programs and/or RD&E projects, and inform stakeholders of key issues.
These presentations are available for viewing below.
Stakeholder Forum – 5 March 2024
Emergency Animal Diseases: can we effectively reduce feral pigs?
Our guest speakers were Lachlan and Darren Marshall and Bec Gray (NSW Feral Pig Coordinator, NSW Local Land Services).
Darren and Lachlan discussed the key learnings from monitoring the movement of feral pigs during intensive aerial and on-ground culling operations conducted by NSW Local Land Services. This was part of a simulated program in response to foot and mouth disease.
Bec presented on the current status of NSW Local Land Services’ 2023/24 feral pig program and major findings from NSW LLS’s statewide Foot and mouth disease prevention and preparedness project conducted in 2022/23.
Welcome and Introduction
John Gavin, NFPAP IC chair
NFPAP progress updates
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Foot and mouth outbreak simulation: is it possible to locally eradicate feral pigs?
Darren and Lachlan Marshall
Q&A
Darren and Lachlan Marshall
Foot and Mouth Disease Preparedness & Prevention Program and Feral Pig Program 2023/24
Bec Gray, NSW LLS
Q&A
Bec Gray, NSW LLS
Forum Q&A
John Gavin, NFPAP IC chair
Stakeholder Forum – 11 December 2023
Utilising innovative approaches to maximise the success of feral pig control programs
Feral pigs are very smart and adaptive animals. Although a range of different methods are available to control feral pigs, innovative approaches in how these are being applied are needed to maximise their effectiveness in reducing feral pigs impacts and/or populations.
This topic was discussed by our guest speakers: Perry Ward (SEQ Water) and Stuart Johnson (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships).
Welcome and Introduction
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
QPWS brief overview of pig management
Stuart Johnson, QPWS
HOGGONE as an alternative
Perry Ward, SEQ Water
Q&A and conclusionn
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Stakeholder Forum – 20 March 2023
Using innovative AI and collaborative, coordinated programs to manage feral pigs
Feral pigs are very smart invasive animals. As such, new and innovative approaches are needed in collaborative coordinated programs, to ensure feral pig impacts are managed efficiently.
Our stakeholder forum features presentations from Lawrence Di Bella, Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited and Paul Hodges, SA Arid Lands Landscape Board to discuss how their programs are helping to reduce feral pig impacts.
Lawrence discusses the application of drones and remote AI technologies to improve the efficacy of their coordinated feral pig management program. This collaborative and co-funded program has been in place since 2009 to reduce feral impacts across the region.
Paul presented on the coordinated management program being facilitated by SA Arid Lands Landscape Board, collaborating with organisations such as Australian Wildlife Conservancy, to manage threats from feral pigs to pastoralists and the agricultural industry, biodiversity, and environmental assets in northeast South Australia.
Welcome and Introduction
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Using technology to better manage feral pigs in the Hinchinbrook Shire Council region
Lawrence Di Bella and Rod Neilson, Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited
Lawrence Di Bella and Rod Neilson, Q&A
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Controlling and monitoring feral pigs in outback South Australia
Paul Hodges, Biosecurity Officer, SA Arid Lands Landscape Board
Paul Hodges, Q&A
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Conclusion
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Stakeholder Forum – 2 December 2022
The power of data to enhance feral pig management strategies.
Data can be extremely valuable when planning and conducting feral pig management programs to improve how resources are used, understand their movement in the landscape and optimise outcomes.
Our guest speakers were Cameron Wilson from the Biosecurity Queensland and Dr. Jack Pascoe, Conservation and Research Manager from the Conservation Ecology Centre, Cape Otway, Victoria who is leading the Wild Otways Initiative’s feral pig and deer program.
These presenters spoke about how data can be used to improve how decisions are made and which resources are used, understand feral pig movement in the landscape, and optimise program outcomes.
Welcome and Introduction
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Feral pig spatial ecology
Cameron Wilson, Biosecurity Queensland
Cameron Wilson, Q&A
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Wild Otways Initiative
Jack Pascoe, Conservation and research manager, Conservation Ecology Centre, Cape Otway, Victoria
Tim Wilson, Q&A
Tim Wilson, Conservation project manager, Conservation Ecology Centre, Cape Otway, Victoria and Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Conclusion
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Stakeholder Forum – 30 August 2022
Working together to reduce threats from feral pigs
This forum featured a presentation from Dr. Brendan Cowled, Director and Executive Consultant (Epidemiologist) with AUSVET, who discussed what role feral pigs may play in the transmission and control of foot and mouth disease in Australia.
We were also joined by Scott Hardy from Whitsunday Regional Council and Marieke Jansen, Northern Biosecurity Group, who are facilitating two of the NFPAP’s demonstration sites in the Whitsunday region, Queensland and Midwest, WA, respectively.
Scott and Marieke discussed how they are engaging with their stakeholders to enable effective feral pig population control to be delivered on a regional, cross-tenure scale.
A local producer, who is actively participating in the Northern Biosecurity Group’s activities, talked about the benefits from being involved in a community-led feral pig management program.
Welcome and Introduction
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Current NFPAP priorities and new initiatives
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
What role feral pigs may play in the transmission and control of foot and mouth disease in Australia
Dr. Brendan Cowled, AUSVET
Feral Pigs and FMD Q&A
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC and Dr Brendan Cowled, AUSVET
Collaborative, coordinated and effective feral pig management: it’s all about engaging people. Key learnings from the Whitsunday Region Management Program, Queensland
Scott Hardy Whitsunday Regional Council, QLD
Collaborative, coordinated and effective feral pig management: it’s all about engaging people. Key learnings from the MidWest Demonstration site, Western Australia
Marieke Jansen, Northern Biosecurity Group, WA
Producer perspective of being involved in community-led feral pig management
Cliff, MidWest producer and Wayne Healy, LPMT Northern Biosecurity Group
August 2022 stakeholder forum Q&A
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Responses to unanswered questions.
If you have any further questions, please send us an email at contact@feralpigs.com.au
Stakeholder Forum – 1 June 2022
Surveillance and monitoring: informing biosecurity and feral pig control actions
Recent confirmation of Foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Indonesia and the current incursion of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) in eastern Australia emphasises the importance of ongoing population monitoring and control of feral pigs to reduce potential biosecurity risks as well as the many other impacts that they cause.
These issues will be discussed at our next NFPAP Stakeholder Forum to be held on Wednesday 1 June between 11 am and 12:30 pm AEST.
We are pleased to be joined by Dr Hayley Pearson, Epidemiologist – Biosecurity and Animal Welfare NT Government who will discuss “Feral pigs: JEV, ASF and FMD – current response and surveillance in Northern Australia to address biosecurity risks” supported by Dr. Sue Fitzpatrick, NT Chief Veterinary Officer and Dr. Skye Fruean, NAQS Technical Manager- Animal Health, DAWE.
Innovative thermal aerial feral pig control and monitoring techniques being used in two of the NFPAP’s demonstration sites on Kangaroo Island and in the Western Riverina of NSW will be presented by Matt Korcz, KI Feral Pig Coordinator, PIRSA and Suzie Holbery, NSW Local Land Services.
Current NFPAP priorities and new initiatives
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Feral pigs: JEV, ASF and FMD – current response and surveillance in Northern Australia to address biosecurity risks
Dr Hayley Pearson, Epidemiologist – Biosecurity and Animal Welfare NT Government supported by Dr. Sue Fitzpatrick, NT Chief Veterinary Officer and Dr. Skye Fruean, NAQS Technical Manager- Animal Health, DAWE
Hiding in plain sight: Thermal Assisted Aerial Culling
Matt Korcz, Kangaroo Island Feral Pig Coordinator, PIRSA
Thermal aerial monitoring proving essential for success
Suzie Holbery, Senior Biosecurity Officer and Western Riverina Pest Project Coordinator, NSW Local Land Services
Stakeholder Forum Q&A
Responses to unanswered questions.
If you have any further questions, please send us an email at contact@feralpigs.com.au
Stakeholder Forum – 13 December 2021
Monitoring of feral pig populations – maximising value from field camera traps.
The focus of this forum is on the effective use of cameras and camera traps to monitor feral pig presence, population changes, and support community engagement at a landscape scale. The speakers discuss how the information obtained from cameras can then be used to assess impacts being caused and adapt best practice management strategies by local management groups.
Our invited speakers were Dr Justin Perry, Research Manager at NAILSMA and Chair of our Scientific Advisory Panel, Dr. Andrew Bengsen, Research Scientist at NSW DPI’s Vertebrate Pest Research Unit and member of the NFPAP’s Scientific Advisory Panel, and Chris Gaschk, Natural Resource Management Officer at Western Downs Regional Council, Dalby, Queensland.
Welcome and Introduction
Ricky Archer, Chair NFPAP IC
Community engagement and demonstration sites
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Practicalities of camera trapping to detect and count feral pigs
Andrew Bengsen, DPI NSW
Utilizing Data to Engage Land Managers- New Technology Adoption in Pest Monitoring
Chris Gaschk, Western Downs Regional Council
Automated analysis of photos for environmental impact assessment
Dr Justin Perry, NAILSMA and NFPAP SAP Chair
Meeting close
Ricky Archer, Chair NFPAP IC
Stakeholder Forum – 11 October 2021
How to make and implement an effective Feral Pig management plan.
This forum had presentations from Troy Crittle, Invasive Species Officer, NSW DPI and Stu Barker, from Wild Science in NT, who discuss the application of effective integrated, best practice management of feral pigs in different regions around Australia.
Welcome and Introduction
Ricky Archer, Chair NFPAP IC
Progress update on the Plan’s implementation
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Feral Pig Management Planning
Troy Crittle, Invasive Species Officer, NSW DPI
Pig baiting in NSW
Troy Crittle, Invasive Species Officer, NSW DPI
Feral pig trapping
Troy Crittle, Invasive Species Officer, NSW DPI
Setting the standard in wildlife and feral animal management
Stu Barker, Wild Science, NT
Stakeholder Forum – 5 July 2021
This Forum focussed on management programs being led by, or involving, Indigenous organisations and Traditional Owners to protect cultural, environmental and agricultural assets from feral pigs. Watch the recordings of the presentations from speakers from around Australia below.
Welcome and introductions
Ricky Archer, Chair NFPAP IC
Next steps – Implementing the Plan
Dr Heather Channon, NFPMC
Maningrida Learning on Country program
Alex ”Batman” Ernst, NT Schools
Predator control and turtle nest monitoring in the Western Cape York by the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance
Kerri Woodcock, Cape York NRM
Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation’s feral pig management program
Jory Stariwat, CLCAC and Desmond Armstrong, Gangalidda-Garawa Ranger Coordinator
Defining metrics for successful feral pig management in remote Australia
Dr Justin Perry, NAILSMA
Stakeholder Update- December 2020
Outline of the key goals, objectives and actions in the draft National Feral Pig Action Plan.
Stakeholder Forum – 27 October 2020
Held virtually on Tuesday 27 October 2020.
Greg Mifsud
Greg Mifsud, the National Wild Dog Management Coordinator, provided insights and key learnings from the National Wild Dog Action Plan (NWDAP) that may be applicable for feral pigs.
Dr. Heather Channon
An update of the NFPAP survey outcomes was provided, summarising the hundreds of responses received.
Darren Marshall
Darren Marshall, from SQ Landscapes and a NFPAP Steering Group member, gave a terrifically engaging presentation on his field work with groups of land managers.
Peter West
DPI NSW Invasive Species Officer (Engagement) and National Coordinator – FeralScan, Peter West, manages the national FeralScan program to help communities monitor and manage pest species. Peter provided valuable insights into the capabilities of the FeralPigScan system and busted a few myths along the way, particularly those around data management and access.
Stakeholder Forum – 2 September 2020
Held virtually on Wednesday 2 September 2020.
Leon Collins
Leon Collins, Deputy Chair and Leanne Erakovic, Executive Officer, Australian Banana Growers Council provides an insight into the successes, learnings and challenges of the Panama Disease Feral Pig Control Program.Dr Heather Channon
Dr Heather Channon, National Feral Pig Management Coordinator, presented on the structure and progress of the NFPAP as at 2 September 2020.
Zena Ronnfeldt
Zena Ronnfeldt, from Boss Agriculture, Dalby, Queensland, and a NFPAP Steering Group member (representing Agforce Queensland), conveyed the challenges of landholders dealing with feral pigs and the need for a NFPAP.
John Maher
John Maher, Chair of the NFPAP, provided a brief update on the current status and opportunities with regard to feral pig management in Australia.
Animal Health Committee
An update on the outcomes and recommendations of the Animal Health Committee (AHC) African swine fever (ASF) Feral Pig Task Group, focussing on ASF preparedness and response was presented by Dr Hayley Pearson, Preparedness and Response Policy Officer, Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries and Resources; Dr. Allison Crook, Chief Veterinary Officer, Queensland and Chair of the Animal Health Committee ASF Feral Pig Task Group; and Dr. Sue Fitzpatrick, Chief Veterinary Officer, Northern Territory.