More than 27,000 feral hogs eradicated in Arkansas
by February 21, 2022 9:38 am 1,814 views
Feral hogs cause billions of dollars in agriculture losses nationwide each year, and in the Natural State an effort has been underway since before the pandemic to curb the problem. At least 27,803 feral hogs have been killed in Arkansas since January 2020 by members of the Arkansas Feral Hog Eradication Task Force, according to the state Department of Agriculture.
The Feral Hog Eradication Task Force was initially created by the Arkansas Legislature during the 2017 regular session and was directed to create a plan for the eradication of feral hogs in Arkansas. The Task Force is made up of 21 federal and state agencies and non-government organizations.
The feral hog removal efforts over the past two years have assisted more than 650 individual private landowners and public properties across the state, including within the Buffalo River Watershed. Members of the task force have also hosted eight landowner workshops to raise awareness of the damages caused by feral hogs and available resources to assist with removal.
“The feral hog removals by the task force members reflect the continued collaboration and commitment of our county, state, and federal partners to address and minimize damages associated with feral hogs across the state,” said J.P. Fairhead, Feral Hog Eradication Program Coordinator. “The removals and the feedback received from landowners indicate that the efforts of task force members and landowners have led to population and damage reduction in areas where our county, state, and federal resources are allocated.”
Feral hogs are an invasive species that are especially destructive to agricultural crops, native wildlife, and young domestic livestock.
Feral hogs are found in 39 states and may carry at least 45 bacteria, diseases, and parasites, including pseudorabies and brucellosis. Nationally, feral hogs are estimated to cause more than $2 billion in damages each year.
In Arkansas, the latest survey by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that feral swine cause at least $41 million in agricultural damages every year, including $34 million in damages to soybeans, corn, cotton, wheat, hay, pecans, and rice, and $7.3 million in damages to livestock.
Landowners experiencing feral hog damage are encouraged to call USDA Wildlife Services at (501) 835-2318 for assistance.