Register      Login
Wildlife Research Wildlife Research Society
Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > WR > WR06066
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 36(2)

Migration of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in rainforests of north Queensland: fact or fiction?

J. Mitchell A E , W. Dorney B , R. Mayer C and J. McIlroy D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Biosecurity Queensland, PO Box 187, Charters Towers, Qld 4820, Australia.

B Biosecurity Queensland, PO Box 20, South Johnstone, Qld 4859, Australia.

C Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, PO Box 1085, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia.

D 38 Hempleman Drive, Akaroa 8161, New Zealand.

E Corresponding author. Email: jim.mitchell@dpi.qld.gov.au

Wildlife Research 36(2) 110-116 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR06066
Submitted: 6 June 2006  Accepted: 27 October 2008   Published: 20 February 2009

Abstract

The Wet Tropics bioregion of north Queensland has been identified as an area of global significance. The world-heritage-listed rainforests have been invaded by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) that are perceived to cause substantial environmental damage. A community perception exists of an annual altitudinal migration of the feral-pig population. The present study describes the movements of 29 feral pigs in relation to altitudinal migration (highland, transitional and lowland areas). Feral pigs were sedentary and stayed within their home range throughout a 4-year study period. No altitudinal migration was detected; pigs moved no more than a mean distance of 1.0 km from the centre of their calculated home ranges. There was no significant difference between the mean (±95% confidence interval) aggregate home ranges for males (8.7 ± 4.3 km2, n = 15) and females (7.2 ± 1.8 km2, n = 14). No difference in home range was detected among the three altitudinal areas: 7.2 ± 2.4 km2 for highland, 6.2 ± 3.9 km2 for transitional and 9.9 ± 5.3 km2 for lowland areas. The aggregate mean home range for all pigs in the present study was 8.0 ± 2.4 km2. The study also assessed the influence seasons had on the home range of eight feral pigs on the rainforest boundary; home ranges did not significantly vary in size between the tropical wet and dry seasons, although the mean home range in the dry season (7.7 ± 6.9 km2) was more than twice the home range in the wet season (2.9 ± 0.8 km2). Heavier pigs tended to have larger home ranges. The results of the present study suggest that feral pigs are sedentary throughout the year so broad-scale control techniques need to be applied over sufficient areas to encompass individual home ranges. Control strategies need a coordinated approach if a long-term reduction in the pig population is to be achieved.


Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Dr Chris Johnson for his support. The Rainforest CRC and the Department of Natural Resources and Water provided financial support for this study. Animal ethics approval (086–305) for this research was granted by the James Cook University Animal Ethics Committee. Thanks go to several University students who assisted, including Geoff Andersson, Steve Locke, Leon Hill and Cathy Brennan. Thanks go also to the staff of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service at Edmund Kennedy National Park.


References

Baber, D. W. , and Coblentz, B. E. (1982). Immobilisation of feral pigs with a combination of ketimine and xylazine. Journal of Wildlife Management 46, 557–559.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Diong C. H. (1982). Population biology and management of the feral pig (Sus scrofa) in Kipahula Valley, Maui. Ph.D. Thesis; University of Hawaii, Honolulu.

Dixon, K. R. , and Chapman, J. A. (1980). Harmonic mean measure of animal activity areas. Ecology 61, 1040–1044.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Giffin J. (1978). ‘Ecology of the Feral Pig on the Island of Hawaii.’ (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Game: Honolulu.)

Giles G. R. (1980). The ecology of the feral pig in Western New South Wales. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Sydney.

Hampton, J. O. , Pluske, J. R. , and Spencer, P. B. S. (2004). A preliminary genetic study of the social biology of feral pigs in south-western Australia and the implications for management. Wildlife Research 31, 375–381.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | McIlroy J. C. (1993). Feral pig management problems in the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. Final report to the Wet Tropics Management Agency, Cairns.

McIlroy, J. C. , and Saillard, R. J. (1989). The effect of hunting with dogs on the numbers and movements of feral pigs, Sus scrofa, and the subsequent success of poisoning exercises in Namadgi National Park, Australian Capital Territory. Australian Wildlife Research 16, 353–363.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Nams O. V. (2000). Locate II. A program to triangulate radio telemetry bearing and calculate error ellipses. Pacer Computer Software, Truro, Canada.

Saunders, G. , and Kay, B. (1991). Movements of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) at Sunny Corner, New South Wales. Wildlife Research 18, 49–63.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | White G. C. , and Garrott R. A. (1990). ‘Analysis of Wildlife Radio-tracking Data.’ (Academic Press, Inc.: Sydney.)