National Feral Pig Action Plan

Western Australia

Find out more about feral pigs projects taking place across Western Australia.

This is a dynamic Hub. It will be continually updated to include additional programs and to ensure that its content is current.
If your program is not listed and you would like it to be placed on the Hub, or you would like to provide an update on your program, please Contact Us.

Please note: authorisation of content for a program is obtained prior to its inclusion into the Hub.

  • Indigenous Group
  • Hunting Organisation
  • State Government
  • Local Government
  • Industry
  • Landholder Group
  • Federal Government
  • Research
  • Conservation and Biodiversity
  • RBG (Recognised Biosecurity Group)
  • Utility
  • Advisory Group

National Feral Pig Action Plan

Carnarvon

Carnarvon Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc

Location: Carnarvon, Western Australia

N/A

Albany

South Coast NRM

Location: Albany, Western Australia

The South Coast region extends over more than 8.6 million hectares across the southern coastline of Western Australia. The region forms part of a global biodiversity hotspot for wildlife and plants with more than 6,000 species of native plants and has the highest concentration of rare and endangered species in Australia. Within the region lies the UNESCO-listed Fitzgerald Biosphere. Encompassing both national park and surrounding farmland, the 1.53-million-hectare biosphere promotes solutions for the conservation of biodiversity with sustainable use. The South Coast region is also home to Empodisma peatland bogs, a proposed threatened ecological community, which faces threats from introduced species including feral pigs.

South Coast NRM Inc. is a community based, independent, not-for-profit organisation that works with the community and stakeholders to maintain and improve a healthy and productive environment for the long-term benefit of communities within the South Coast region. This is achieved through collaboration with community, government agencies, non-government organisations and the private sector to develop and deliver Southern Prospects, the long-term regional strategy for Natural Resource Management.

South Coast NRM is recognised as a national leader in biosecurity, winning the 2021 Australian Biosecurity Award at the 2021 National Biosecurity Forum. The award recognises South Coast NRM’s leadership in supporting a range of projects that have delivered significant biosecurity outcomes for the region’s unique environment. Notably the award highlighted South Coast NRM’s Project Dieback which has endured since 2005 with South Coast NRM driving action across Western Australia to protect key natural assets and slow the spread of soil-born Phytophthora species, notably Phytophthora cinnamomi. South Coast NRM has played an active role in delivering other biosecurity projects focused on the management of diseases and invasive species such as feral cats, foxes, pigs, rabbits, feral bees and starlings, blackberry, African boxthorn, bridal creeper, Sydney golden wattle, Victorian tea-tree, prickly pear, cotton bush, gorse, and knotweed.

The priorities and actions of South Coast NRM are guided by Southern Prospects. South Coast NRM recognises that feral pigs are a significant threat to the biodiversity values in certain parts of the region, particularly in the westernmost portion of the region where rainfall is the highest. Currently, South Coast NRM does not have any funded programs for feral pig control in the region but will continue to monitor their presence in the region and actively work with our partners and community to address any emerging issues as they arise.

Broome

Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy

Location: Broome, Western Australia

The Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) is a multidisciplinary program under the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. NAQS utilises a risk-based approach to conduct surveillance for exotic animal pests and diseases across northern Australia. With offices in Cairns, Darwin and Broome, NAQS works with a wide network of stakeholders including the northern jurisdictions’ Departments of Primary Industries/Biosecurity, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander rangers, research institutes and primary producers, to keep a TopWatch! for the north of Australia.

As part of their surveillance program, NAQS conducts feral animal surveys across northern Australia, using low-level aerial operations to observe and destructively sample a range of feral animal species. Post mortems are conducted on euthanised animals, and blood samples routinely collected for exotic disease exclusion testing. Any unusual findings receive a full disease investigation with additional diagnostic testing. NAQS also conducts ad hoc disease investigations in animals in response to reports from key stakeholders, such as Indigenous ranger groups. Of the feral animal species present in the north of Australia, the largest proportion of species sampled and tested by NAQS are feral pigs – this is due to their relative abundance and capability to be suitable hosts for a number of exotic animal diseases including foot-and-mouth disease, surra (Trypanosoma evansi) and African swine fever.

NAQS has a long history of collaborating with researchers, and is currently collaborating with Charles Darwin University to improve feral pig surveillance in northern Australia using population genetics and drones.

NAQS Animal Health Surveillance team includes 6 full-time veterinarians and 1 surveillance officer, supported by field operations officers and community liaison officers.

In Western Australia, NAQS has 1 vet based in Broome, and typically conducts 2-4 feral animal surveys each year.

Central Wheatbelt

Central Wheatbelt Regional Biosecurity Group

Location: Morawa, Western Australia

The Central Wheatbelt Biosecurity Association Inc. (CWBA) encompasses an area of 21,901 km2 across the Koorda, Perenjori, Dalwallinu and Morawa regions of WA. The CWBA encourages landholder and Shire involvement in coordinated broad scale management of feral pest species. Their programs target wild dogs, foxes, rabbits and feral pigs as well as other declared pests, as prioritised by the CWBA. Licenced Pest Management Technicians contracted by CWBA work on affected farms, pastoral land and crown lands to assist landholders to conduct a range of control and monitoring activities. CWBA runs bait rack days to produce free 1080 meat baits for landholders, as well as fund free rabbit and feral pig bait mixing days. Aerial shooting of feral pigs was undertaken in 2018 and 2019, which engaged landholders and enabled surveillance on location and population estimates. In 2020, a landholder survey was conducted through the Mingenew Irwin Group to gather population estimates.

The three recognised biosecurity groups, NBG, Central Wheatbelt Biosecurity Association (CWBA) and Midlands Biosecurity Group (MBG) were announced as one of the initial 6 NFPAP demonstration sites, called the MidWest feral pig demonstration site. Their position as a demonstration site acknowledges how they work together to coordinate their vertebrate pest management activities and aims to share how they effectively engage land managers in feral pig management to reduce their impactsTo see more about the demonstration site and their activities, please click here to visit their webpage.

NFPAP feature articles and mentions

Coordinated activities by three Recognised Biosecurity Groups are reducing feral pig populations in the northern agricultural zone in WA- Northern Biosecurity Group, Central Wheatbelt Biosecurity Association and Midlands Biosecurity Group, August 2021

Aerial pig program controls record number of feral pigs – Northern Biosecurity Group, March 2022

Coordinated ground and aerial control of feral pigs is steadily reducing their impacts- Midlands Biosecurity Group and Central Wheatbelt Association, April 2022

Benefits of being involved in coordinated community-led groups: producer perspectives from MidWest WA- MidWest demonstration site, June 2022

National Feral Pig Action Plan

Dandaragan

West Midlands Group

Location: Dandaragan, Western Australia

N/A

Donnybrook

Leschenault Biosecurity Group Inc

Location: Donnybrook, Western Australia

The LBG operational area covers the Shires of Capel, Dardanup and Donnybrook-Balingup and City of Bunbury, Western Australia.

The Leschenault Biosecurity Group (LBG) is a not for profit, recognised biosecurity group run by community representatives. It aims to work collaboratively within its operational area to reduce the impacts of declared weed and vertebrate pests to land managers. Feral pigs are a high priority for this group due to their extensive impacts to crops, pastures, and waterways, as well as to the biodiversity of native plants and animals.

After several successful trials, the LBG is utilising the HOGGONE® Feral Pig Control System as a highly effective, reliable and humane component of its Feral Pig Control Program.

LBG was the first group in WA to trial the use of HOGGONE® for feral pig control. The LBG conducted its first trial on private property in Mumballup, within the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup WA working collaboratively with two property owners. Since this first successful trial, the group has assisted several landowners to remove feral pigs from their properties utilising this system.

Based on these successes, LBG now uses HOGGONE® as their primary control method to support land managers in the management of feral pigs.

LBG’s Feral Pig Control program is funded through use of the Declared Pest Rate, enabling:

  • Purchase of monitoring cameras for landholders to loan free of charge
  • Site visits to assist landholders with verifying and quantifying feral pig activity
  • Assisting land managers to produce an active, feral pig specific management plan for their properties
  • Purchase of HOGGONE® baiting boxes and baits for use in trial (on-going installations require landholder contributions toward costs of bait)
  • On-going use of the HOGGONE system as an effective, feral pig control method for private landholders within the group’s operational area
  • Site visits for HOGGONE® project site installation set-up and collaborative monitoring of feral pig activity and ultimate control success at site
  • Application assistance & full subsidy of the cost Registered Pesticide Permits for use of 1080 baiting for eligible landholders.
  • Loan of surveillance cameras and pre-feeding assistance to support private trapping programs.
  • Bring key landholders (both private and public) together to improve coordination of control efforts including discussion of management activities and steps to improve effectiveness of the program
  • Raising awareness of feral pigs and encouraging reporting of sightings and activity
  • Participation in area, state and national feral pig control forums toward better understanding of issues and effective controls
  • Seek training opportunities to build local knowledge and skills to control feral pigs.

Best practice methods for controlling feral pigs can vary. The LBG is actively encouraging the sharing of information among landholders on their personal experiences with feral pigs to better understand seasonal and area movements, as well as related impact and control measures that have either worked or failed. As with all the group’s declared pests control programs, it encourages landholders to work with neighbours to identify and address feral pig activity as soon as possible, more effectively.

Photo credit: Leschenault Biosecurity Group

NFPAP feature articles

HOGGONE adopted by the Leschenault Biosecurity Group as a primary control method for feral pigs- Leschenault Biosecurity Group, October 2022 NFPAP newsletter

National Feral Pig Action Plan

Esperance

Esperance Biosecurity Association

Location: Esperance, Western Australia

N/A

Geraldton

Northern Biosecurity Group Inc Operational Plan

Location: Geraldton, Western Australia

The Northern Biosecurity Group (NBG) covers the Shires of Chapman Valley, Northampton, and and was established in 2017. The group is working proactively across the region to facilitate and coordinate declared pest management, working closely with local landholders, Licensed Pest Management Technicians and government departments. The group currently prioritises control of wild dogs, feral pigs and opuntioid cacti. In December 2019, the WA state government, through its Natural Resource Management grant program funded feral pig projects. A funding grant was awarded to the Northern Biosecurity Group, Northampton ($201,710) to support monitoring, trapping and shooting programs. This project aims to encourage landholder involvement in feral pig management and will pig distribution, seasonal variability and effectiveness of control efforts will be monitored using a trapping camera network and GPS tracking collars. In 2020/21, declared pest rate funds will be used to support an aerial shooting program as well as 1080 baiting. In 2018/19, over 2658 kg of feral pig bait was mixed for 37 landholders and between 2018-2020, feral pig workshops have attracted over 300 people, with workshops held in Northampton, Greenough, Chapman Valley and Mullewa. Aerial shooting has been undertaken over the last three years, with a total of 2918 pigs dispatched. In conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA, has been monitoring feral pig activity within the core aerial control zone (Northampton) for the last 3 years (2018-2020). Feral pig activity has been observed to decrease by 81% from 2018-2019, and to decrease a further 76% from 2019 to 2020. This has been attributed to ongoing trapping and baiting efforts conducted by landholders and LPMTs throughout the year in addition to the aerial culling. Another aerial culling program is scheduled for 2021.

The three recognised biosecurity groups, NBG, Central Wheatbelt Biosecurity Association (CWBA) and Midlands Biosecurity Group (MBG) were announced as one of the initial 6 NFPAP demonstration sites, called the MidWest feral pig demonstration site. Their position as a demonstration site acknowledges how they work together to coordinate their vertebrate pest management activities and aims to share how they effectively engage land managers in feral pig management to reduce their impactsTo see more about the demonstration site and their activities, please click here to visit their webpage.

NFPAP feature articles and mentions

Coordinated activities by three Recognised Biosecurity Groups are reducing feral pig populations in the northern agricultural zone in WA- Northern Biosecurity Group, Central Wheatbelt Biosecurity Association and Midlands Biosecurity Group, August 2021

Aerial pig program controls record number of feral pigs – Northern Biosecurity Group, March 2022

Coordinated ground and aerial control of feral pigs is steadily reducing their impacts- Midlands Biosecurity Group and Central Wheatbelt Association, April 2022

Benefits of being involved in coordinated community-led groups: producer perspectives from MidWest WA- MidWest demonstration site, June 2022

Gingin

Westpork

Location: Gingin, Western Australia

In response to the ongoing threat of African swine fever entering Australia’s domestic pig herd, Westpork and CM Farms initiated a feral pig trapping program in the Gingin / Lake Mogumber region in Western Australia in October 2019. Westpork and CM Farms are jointly investing in their feral pig control program and funding two experienced trappers. Sheep, cattle and grain producers are collaborating in this activity, providing both property access to trappers and grain to attract feral pigs into the traps fitted with cameras and remotely operated gates. Local knowledge of food and water sources and sightings by landholders involved is being utilised to determine sites for trap locations. Over 150 pigs have been trapped following free feeding with grain, dispatched and buried on site. This program highlights that strong local landholder engagement, support and commitment is needed to address risks posed by feral pigs at the local level and to monitor their impacts. Westpork and CM Farms are wanting to gain support from pork producers, and other landholders, for feral pig management in pig production areas in Western Australia. They are also proactively engaging with other groups to learn from their approaches.

Keralup

Keralup Feral Pig Control Program- Craig Mostyn Farms

Location: Keralup, Western Australia

In May 2020, CM Farms funded the extension a feral pig trapping program in the Keralup area in response to the ongoing threat of African Swine Fever severely impacting Australia’s commercial pig industry. The program, which previously had a very limited trapping season due to tight budget constraints, is being conducted on a large uninhabited property which adjoins a peri-urban area, environmentally sensitive wetlands and is adjacent to a large commercial pig herd. CM Farms are supporting the feral pig control program by funding two experienced trappers who have previously worked in the region and have established relationships with surrounding landholders. Between November 2020 – February 2021 192 pigs (includes 59 unborn) were removed from the area with a further 126 pigs removed during the extended program between May-July 2021. CM Farms, together with Westpork are working to raise awareness amongst the commercial pork industry of the very real biosecurity threat that feral pigs pose to our industry in WA. In doing this, our objective is to gain further industry support for feral pig management in susceptible commercial pig production areas of WA.

Kimberley

Kimberley Feral Pig Control Project – Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Location: Kimberley, Western Australia

In the Kimberley, feral pigs are continuing to expand into areas of suitable habitat in the Kimberley and travel for relatively large distances across inhospitable rocky country to access favoured habitat and set up new populations in those areas. Research was conducted by AWC, with funding from the Kimberley Rangelands Biosecurity Association (KRBA), to investigate the movements of feral pigs and to trial the use of automated feeders for delivery of 1080 bait for pig control in the Kimberley. The research was conducted in 2017-19 on a number of pastoral properties in the central and western Kimberley including Doongan, Charnley River, Mt House, Glenroy and Mornington. In brief, the research funded by KRBA has successfully developed an automated baiting system that can be deployed for control of feral pigs in remote parts of the Kimberley, and optimised the delivery of baits using that system. Data collected from GPS-collared pigs as part of this research has identified movement patterns of pigs in the central and western Kimberley, including differences in habitat use across the rainfall gradient from north to south. Pigs in the south are more restricted to larger watercourses during the dry season, where they are capable of long-distance movements (>70 km over periods of days).

Data collected in this study shows that pigs will travel for relatively large distances across inhospitable rocky country to access favoured habitat and set up new populations in those areas. Modelling conducted by AWC shows that potentially suitable habitat for feral pigs is much larger than the area currently occupied. For this reason, and because of the negative impacts of feral pigs on wetlands, pastoral productivity and biodiversity, there is strong justification for increasing control efforts on feral pigs, using the range of tools available, including the bait-delivery system developed through this research.

Kimberley Land Council

Location: Kimberley, Western Australia

The Kimberley Land Council was formed to administer native title claims, work which is now largely completed. The Council oversees around two thirds of indigenous groups in the Kimberley region, with the remainder now independent except two that are managed by DBCA. The Kimberley Land Council does not consider feral pigs to be a high priority issue, reflecting their low populations and localised impacts resulting from their activities. A regional position for feral animal management is currently not in place but is an area of interest. Ranger teams operate to 10-year Healthy Country Plans that have been set up through community consultations to develop conservation and management priorities, including fire management, feral animal management, landscape and seascape health, cultural health and management of traditional lands to ensure its ongoing health. The indigenous ranger network is well positioned to undertake control and surveillance work and have exclusive access to native title lands, but more support is needed to ensure the delivery of good programs.

Kimberley Rangelands Biosecurity Association

Location: Kimberley, Western Australia

The Kimberley Rangelands Biosecurity Association is a Recognised Biosecurity Group that operates across the Shires of Wyndham East Kimberley, Halls Creek, Broome and Derby West Kimberley. Pigs are a widespread vertebrate pest species but not currently considered as significant a pest species as donkeys and wild dogs according to pastoral land managers. As a consequence no funding is currently allocated to feral pig management by the KRBA. Feral pigs are emerging to be of concern in the North Kimberley region, their population appears to be expanding and may cause significant impact in some locations if the population is not managed appropriately.

Kununurra

North Kimberley Land Conservation District Committee

Location: Northern Kimberley, Western Australia

The North Kimberley LCDC is a statutory body formed under section 23 of the Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945. It is made up of a diverse range of land managers from the north Kimberley including pastoralists, indigenous rangers, government representatives, NGOs and other community members. The North Kimberley LCDC is working to promote and implement cost-effective, best practice feral pig control techniques suitable for use in remote areas and to increase the capacity and capability of people in the North Kimberley to strategically use best practice management practices to effectively control feral pigs.

Lake Muir, Denbarker, Rocky Gully & Northcliffe

Lake Muir-Denbarker Community Feral Pig Eradication Group

Location: Lake Muir & Northcliffe, Western Australia

The Lake Muir Denbarker Community Feral Pig Eradication Group, an unincorporated group formed in 2001, works across the Shires of Plantagenet, Manjimup, Denmark and Cranbrook. The group aimed to facilitate the involvement of all landholders in the Lake Muir and Denbarker areas in contributing to the initial reduction of the feral pig population and the subsequent maintenance of low pig densities. In 2010, the Group extended their trapping services to the Northcliffe Declared Species Group, and a joint management committee for the Lake Muir Denbarker and Northcliffe project areas was formed in October 2016. Trained and experienced field operators are employed by the group to provide surveillance and control, across private property and agreed areas of DBCA managed estate. 

Trapping is the preferred control method used. Advancements in camera and remote sensing technology along with improved mobile service coverage have helped improve surveillance efforts. Baiting with 1080 is not conducted due to the regulatory processes in place and the need for involvement of a licenced pest management technician (LMPT) but the group is currently working to trial HOGGONE®. Detection dogs are used as a secondary method to clean up/mop up remaining pigs that avoid traps. Funding is sourced from grants, partner organisations, relevant government departments, local Shires, and landholders, including private companies. 

Funding from, and on behalf of, local landholders has allowed the leveraging of dollar-for-dollar funding from the National Landcare Program and the State NRM grants program. Over the past few years, there has been a reduction in grant funding for feral pig control which has impacted on the amount of on groundwork undertaken in both the Lake Muir Denbarker and Northcliffe areas. The sustained effort of the group over the past 20 years means that many landholders have never experienced feral pig incursions, such that feral pigs are not rated as a high threat or priority for attention. Without ongoing attention, progress made over the past twenty years with the removal of feral pigs will be lost as the remnant population increases and spreads. 

The drive to establish Recognised Biosecurity Groups (RBG’s) to coordinate pest management in the south of WA is likely to lead to some changes in the operation of the Group and members are actively engaged in steering committees looking to establish RBG’s in the project area. Over the past 18 years, a total of 2700 pigs have been dispatched, with 2500 days of pig control work undertaken since 2007. Information is lacking on level/impact of damage created by feral pigs – hence only data available is numbers trapped and dispatched. Strong relationships have been forged with DBCA, DPIRD, local government, NRM organisations and local landholders. 

The group has also contributed to research projects including the trial of thermal imaging to detect feral pigs in the southern jarrah forests, research into feral pig diet, and initiatives such as the development of the voluntary code of practice for feral pig control used in south-west WA, the development of an accredited training course for field operators and the formation of the Southern Feral Pig Advisory Group (now in hiatus). In December 2019, the WA state government, through its Natural Resource Management grant program funded a number of feral pig projects to support monitoring, trapping and shooting programs. 

The Lake Muir Denbarker Community Feral Pig Eradication Group received $34,000 to support the 2020 control program in the Lake Muir, Denbarker and Northcliffe project areas, aiming to protect agricultural enterprises and reduce the impact of feral pigs on the natural environment.

NFPAP feature articles and mentions

Community-led, long term feral pig management in South West WA- Lake Muir Denbarker Community Feral Pig Eradication Group (LMDCFPEG), June 2021

2022 WA NRM Community Stewardship Grants – September 2022

Lower Blackwood

Lower Blackwood LCDC (LBLCDC) and Lower Blackwood Vertebrate Pest Management Group (LBVPMG)

Location: Lower Blackwood, Western Australia

The Lower Blackwood Land Conservation District Committee (LBLCDC), established in 1991, is a statutory committee appointed by the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation. It is a not-for-profit, community managed, constituted and independent land care organisation with a membership representative of landholders with an interest in sustainable agriculture, catchment management, the broader environment and river health in the Lower Blackwood catchment.

The Lower Blackwood Vertebrate Pest Management Group (LBVPMG) is an unincorporated committee that has been very active since 2009. The group was established as a response to the alarming and growing issue of feral pigs in the Lower Blackwood region and its aim is to reduce the feral pig population and its’ impact on our unique environment and agricultural industry. The LBLCDC and the LBVPMG work together in partnership, with the LBLCDC supporting the LBVPMG by administering their funding and providing project management services. The working area of the LBVPMG covers 610,000 ha in southwest WA and operates over three councils, one which also provides funding support to the group. The committee members of the LBVPMG are landholders, local councils, LBLCDC, DPIRD and DBCA representatives. 

Feral pigs are a significant issue for land managers, particularly in agricultural areas.

The region encompasses a large amount of uninhabited, vegetated public land which presents challenges for feral pig management. In 2012-13, the population was estimated at ~13,000 feral pigs in the region and this is considered to have increased. Two field officers work on a part time basis all year round (funding dependent) to minimise feral pig damage on agricultural lands and government land that abuts farms. A combination of trapping and shooting are used. HOGGONE® baits have recently been trialled with landholders, with initial results showing great success. 

In December 2020, funding of $33,650 was received from WA Government to reduce the feral pig population in the Lower Blackwood region. Mapping, data collection and monitoring activities were undertaken to support further strategic management. This project supported field officers across the area to reduce local populations.

The LBVPMG, in partnership with the LBLCDC, secured funding from the WA State Natural Resource Management Program for a three-year feral pig control program “Feral Pig in Focus: Protecting the Scott Coastal Plain (2022-2025)”. This program consists of 6-month trapping blocks in strategic locations per year for three years supported by a regular monitoring program to record feral pig damage along transects, a camera trapping network to record capture rates over time, and trialling of the ‘HOGGONE®’ feral pig bait box.

A key priority of the program is to foster close working relationships with landholders to ensure that pig sightings and damage are recorded to identify hot-spot areas to inform management activities. Community workshops will also be run highlighting the use of HOGGONE and the importance of reporting feral pig sightings, activity, and damage.

So far, on-ground control by the LBVPMG field officers (123 working days – from 20 January to 17 June 2022) has removed a total of 439 pigs through a combination of trapping, detection dogs and on ground shooting techniques. The trapping efforts were focused on the central and western end of the project area. It is too early in the project to determine any reliable trends; however preliminary results indicate a decrease in noticeable recent pig activity along the transects.

Additional sources of funding are being sought to increase control activities during winter and expand the current project area.

NFPAP feature articles and mentions

Protecting the Scott Coastal Plain (south west WA) from feral pig impacts- Lower Blackwood Vertebrate Pest Management Group and Lower Blackwood LCDC, January 2022

Midlands

Midlands Biosecurity Group

Location: Midlands, Western Australia

The Midlands Biosecurity Group (MBG) was incorporated in June 2019 and covers the shires of Moora, Dandaragan, Coorow, Carnamah, Three Springs, Mingenew and Irwin. The group was established in response to concerns from local farmers about the impact of wild dogs, foxes, feral pigs and rabbits and the need for a more coordinated response. All funding is currently focussed on getting Midlands RBG started and commencing work with wild dogs. Landholders in the area commonly use 1080 grain baiting as the main control method. Feral pigs are damaging crops and impacting on the environment, but the extent of this damage has not been assessed. About 25% of the Midlands RBG area is public land/national parks.

The three recognised biosecurity groups, NBG, Central Wheatbelt Biosecurity Association (CWBA) and Midlands Biosecurity Group (MBG) were announced as one of the initial 6 NFPAP demonstration sites, called the MidWest feral pig demonstration site. Their position as a demonstration site acknowledges how they work together to coordinate their vertebrate pest management activities and aims to share how they effectively engage land managers in feral pig management to reduce their impacts. To see more about the demonstration site and their activities, please click here to visit their webpage.

NFPAP feature articles and mentions

Coordinated activities by three Recognised Biosecurity Groups are reducing feral pig populations in the northern agricultural zone in WA- Northern Biosecurity Group, Central Wheatbelt Biosecurity Association and Midlands Biosecurity Group, August 2021

Aerial pig program controls record number of feral pigs – Northern Biosecurity Group, March 2022

Coordinated ground and aerial control of feral pigs is steadily reducing their impacts- Midlands Biosecurity Group and Central Wheatbelt Association, April 2022

Benefits of being involved in coordinated community-led groups: producer perspectives from MidWest WA- MidWest demonstration site, June 2022

Mingenew

Mingenew Irwin Group

Location: Mingenew, Western Australia

The Mingenew Irwin Group (MIG) is an established grower group operating in the Midlands RBG area. This group is more active in R&D (trialling new grain varieties and cropping practices) and have been addressing feral pigs since 2018. Around 100 producers are involved in this group, 20-30 of these have been affected by feral pigs, with this number continuing to grow. MIG managed to engage15 landholders, who committed to a feral pig baiting program, which included pre-feeding, bait mixing and poisoning activities. Annual grants have been used for coordination of the program as well as baiting and the services of licenced pest management technicians (who are registered to handle 1080). MIG are a conduit for landholders and work closely with both the Midlands and Central Wheatbelt RBG.

National Feral Pig Action Plan

North West

NAQS (Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy)

Location: Kimberley, Western Australia

NAQS’s activities in north western WA are focused on proof of freedom of diseases exotic to Australia and field surveys are undertaken to support this. The feral pig population in the Kimberley region is of relatively low density, therefore field surveys are conducted at lower frequency (every 3-5 years). Feral pig populations are not generally located along the remote and rugged coastline, except for near Broome, Derby and Wyndham. In the Kimberley, disease surveillance activities of NAQS are effective engagement tools to create public awareness with indigenous rangers and pastoralists to discuss feral pig populations and distribution as well as provide training to undertake post-mortems of pigs. NAQS have 16 contracts in place with indigenous communities across the Kimberley (with 12-13 of these having feral pigs present in their country). Some rangers have been trained as biosecurity specialists and undertake post-mortem inspections on NAQS’ behalf. Feral pigs in the Kimberley region are very healthy (not afflicted with parasites or leptospirosis) and are not transmitting disease. NAQS engages with these communities to discuss the signs of African swine fever and what to look out for (e.g. decline in pig numbers), take photos/video footage and provide reports (including GPS locations) of anything unusual that is observed. Public awareness sessions about not swill feeding feral pigs and be aware of risks of swill feeding is also conducted.

Peel Harvey

Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group

Location: Peel Harvey, Western Australia

The Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is a not for profit organisation run by community representatives. It aims to reduce the impact of priority pests to a minimal or locally acceptable level. Feral pigs are high on the agenda with damage to high value crops, pastures and conservation areas reported in the region.

In 2018, the PHBG was recognised by the Minister for Agriculture and Food under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007. This has facilitated the establishment of a declared pest rate, charged to landholders and matched by the WA State Government. The rate became available in 2019 and will be charged annually.

For feral pig control, the rate has enabled the PHBG to:

  • Purchase monitoring cameras and cage traps for landholders to loan free of charge.
  • Fully subsidise the cost of 1080 baiting (permits and baits) for eligible landholders.
  • Assist accredited volunteers with the trapping programs they run on private landholdings.
    establish a trial of new technology using remotely operated traps, with the hope that volunteer hours dedicated to physically checking traps can be reduced. 
  • Bring key landholders (both private and public) together to improve coordination of control efforts. 
  • Connect with government departments, research institutions and private business to find ways to more effectively monitor and record feral pig activity. 
  • Seek training opportunities to build local knowledge and skills to control feral pigs.

The PHBG is keen to gather information from its landholders on their personal experiences with feral pigs to better understand seasonal movements, level of damage and control measures that have either worked or failed. It is also eager to connect with landholders who are willing to work with their neighbours and the PHBG to target feral pig hotspots.

Peel Harvey Catchment Council

Location: Mandurah, Peel Harvey, Western Australia

The Peel Harvey Catchment Council is a not-for-profit community based Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisation and was recognised as an NRM region by the Commonwealth in 2014. The Council operates across more than 1.1 million hectares south of Perth, extending from the Peel-Harvey estuary at Mandurah into the Hopkins and Williams river catchments across sixteen local government areas.

Perth Hills

Feral pig control program – Water Corporation

Location: Perth Hills, Western Australia

Water Corporation supplies drinking water to 2 million people in the Perth Metropolitan area.

Feral pigs pose a risk to Perth’s drinking water supplies through the introduction of pathogens into drinking water dams. Their behaviours (such as wallowing) can also cause issues with turbidity, which negatively impacts on the disinfection of drinking water supplies.

Water Corporation manages a feral pig control program in the Perth Hills, focused around the most critical public drinking water sources. Areas where neighbouring landowners are being negatively impacted by feral pigs encroaching from areas managed by the Corporation are also targeted.

Pilbara

Pilbara Regional Biosecurity Group

Location: Pilbara, Western Australia

Control programs are in place for wild dogs, feral donkeys, camels and horses, but feral pigs are not prioritised due to a limited operating budget/lack of ongoing funding to commit to an effective control program. However, feral pigs have become more of an issue over the past two years along the De Grey River. The population of feral pigs is estimated to be around 300, spread along the De Grey River. This river system runs east from about 120 kms north of Port Hedland, with tributaries into it that extend to around 400 km in total. Several pastoral stations are experiencing issues with feral pigs, with water quality and culturally important sites (including middens) being impacted.

National Feral Pig Action Plan

South Perth

Western Australia Feral Pig Advisory Group (WAFPAG)

Location: South Perth, Western Australia

The Western Australia Feral Pig Advisory Group (WAFPAG) was formed in response to the Western Australia Feral Pig Strategy 2020-2025 to provide guidance to stakeholders on a strategic approach to the management of feral pigs in Western Australia. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), in conjunction with key stakeholders, developed this state-wide feral pig strategy to facilitate the engagement and collaboration of stakeholders in the community. The purpose of the Advisory Group is to improve the strategic management of feral pigs throughout WA, through information sharing and collaboration between community groups, government agencies, and industry bodies. The Advisory Group will provide guidance to community-led feral pig management groups in WA and to industry to facilitate the implementation of the WA Feral Pig Strategy 2020-25. A board was elected in February 2022 with broad representation from key stakeholder groups to help achieve these goals.

  • Frank Camarri, Southern Feral Pig Advisory Group, Chair
  • Kate Duzevich, Leschenault Biosecurity Group, Secretary
  • Ange Pusey, Leschenault Biosecurity Group
  • Jan Cooper, WA Pork Producers Association
  • Megan Trezona, Craig Mostyn Group
  • Michael Wysong, South Coast NRM
  • Tim Mitchell, Donnelly Pest Management Group
  • Marieke Jansen, Northern Biosecurity Group
  • Narelle Dybing, National Feral Pig Action Plan
  • Rosemary Madacsi, Toodyay Shire
  • Talia Morgan, RSPCA

The Strategy identifies that the effective management of feral pigs should be strategic and include defined objectives to reduce impacts and not focus on numbers of animals controlled, to sustainably manage feral pigs in the Western Australia landscape. Combating declared pests and their impacts is a shared responsibility that requires all stakeholders to work in a coordinated, collaborative approach using a combination of control techniques. 

DPIRD (Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development)

Location: South Perth, Western Australia

A new project, entitled Automated thermal imagery analysis platform for multiple pest species being led by DPIRD WA, and funded through the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, will build on a previous AI model that was developed to analyse thermal imaging data and differentiate between multiple target species and their location in the landscape. As the accuracy of the system is dependent upon the footage quality obtained from thermal cameras, it will utilise low resolution/quality data to ensure that the model is useful to as many landholders as possible. Demonstrations will be conducted on control sites where different densities of feral pigs are present.

National Feral Pig Action Plan

Toodyay

Feral Pig Working Group- Shire of Toodyay

Location: Avon Valley, Western Australia

The pig management program started in 2021 after impacted farmers appealed to the Shire, the only authority available due to the closure of the local LCDC in 2016 and absence of an RGB.

Who’s involved

Key personnel involved are the Shire rangers, reserves manager, farmers, impacted residents and invested Councillors. The group has 24 listed members. 

Area being covered

Approximately 847 km2, half of the Shire’s 1,693.8 km2 area.

Assets being protected

Feral pigs impact on broadacre grain farms, rural living properties, shire infrastructure and shire managed conservation reserves, natural drainage linkages as well as the DBCA managed Julimar state Forest and Avon Valley National Park.

Methods/ integrated approach

Individual resources and time available vary and the initial approach has been restrained due to limited time and resources. Periodic meetings are used to assess the effectiveness of varied approaches, to report, and centralise data. The shire provides the coordination, GIS mapping, data repository and advocacy.
Landowner methods are reactive and ad hoc, varying in application from shooters to baits and traps and pig fencing along boundaries to DBCA managed land. Rangers run a coordinated bait and trap program along waterways from reserves and DBCA lands based but effectiveness is limited by minimal resources. Traps are being made on site.

Funding

All funding is from individual investment or the shire rangers budget allocation.

Key outcomes of activities

Toodyay is losing the battle. There is a clear understanding of the magnitude and extent of the problem. Reporting has identified a southern and eastern incursion from bushland into residential subdivisions and farmlands.

How do you know what success looks like

Success is measured by reported distribution and numbers, these are confirmed (kills) or unconfirmed (sightings without supporting evidence), both are GIS mapped.

National Feral Pig Action Plan

Woodanilling

Wagin Woodanilling Landcare Zone

Location: Woodanilling, Western Australia

The Wagin/Woodanilling Landcare Zone was formed in 1999 and maintains a close relationship with the Blackwood Basin Group, which coordinates local priorities into a regional strategy and attracts financial and technical support. In December 2019, a $27,372 WA Natural Resource Management grant was awarded to the Wagin Woodanilling Landcare Zone. Land managers will be supported to develop the skills needed to effectively target pig populations, identify where the pigs are, monitor populations and assist with management strategies.