DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFECTIVE, VERSATILE, AND HUMANE WILD HOG TRAP

Anthony J DeNicola; White Buffalo Inc; susan.ferry@pigbrig.com; Vickie L. DeNicola, Aaron Sumrall, Pietro Pontiggia, E. Gleich, C. Gremse, Susan Ferry

Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) cause substantial ecological and economic damage worldwide. Trapping is a critical tool used to manage wild pigs in native and introduced regions, but traditional strategies often involve traps that require substantial investment to acquire, set up, and manage. Given the devastating worldwide impact of wild suids, a new trapping strategy that is adaptable, efficient, effective, and humane was needed. We aimed to design and evaluate a trap that: 1) improved capacity by increasing the number of traps on the landscape; 2) decreased the costs, labor, equipment, and technology required; 3) offered the ability to catch multiple groups, and 4) reduced the impacts on trapped animals. The trap design featured a double-walled net that was evaluated by experts in wild hog management. Results regarding effectiveness and ethical considerations indicate that the trap successfully captured wild pigs while reducing injury levels from 12 – 32%, as reported with conventional coral traps, to 2%. The trap's low-cost construction and adaptable design represent a significant advancement in invasive species management and ensures its accessibility to researchers, wildlife agencies, landowners, and conservation organizations seeking an effective and humane tool to address disease, research, and damage management objectives for wild pig populations.

Poster Session