Hunters are being warned not to release and relocate feral pigs into new areas, as it can spread disease and unintentionally restrict hunting in the area.
OSPRI has worked hard to eradicate Tuberculosis (TB) in possums from large areas of New Zealand, and North Island regional partner Phil Dawson said this work can all be undone by the reintroduction of Tb-infected pigs with the potential of spillback of infection into the possum population.
“Essentially moving and releasing pigs from one area to another area can also introduce TB into an area. Possums can scavenge a hunted pig carcass or offal and get infected with TB.”
Steve McFall from the Te Kuiti Pig Hunting Club said anyone releasing pigs from an area that is TB country is putting pig hunting at risk and could severely restrict hunting in that region.
“The ramifications for livestock are huge, and it also negatively impacts the pig hunter because if TB is found in wildlife in the region any control measures taken can interrupt hunting in that area.
“I’ve had the example of this in my own region. Back in 2016 or 2017 when a pig was caught and tested positive for bovine TB, the DNA from the head showed it was from Hawke’s Bay.
There we were in King Country, so our area had to have livestock movement restrictions until we were in the clear.”
The problem with feral pigs, McFall said, is that even though they are considered a dead-end (which means they can’t spread TB), once the offal is gutted and left behind it can be eaten by scavengers such as possums and ferrets and they in turn can spread the disease.
“To rid the area of TB may well mean the use 1080 aerial control, which can severely restrict hunting in the area and the use of dogs for many months as well restricting movement of cattle and deer. This is obviously not a happy situation for anyone, hunters and farmers alike,” McFall said.
Hunters in the Far North are also being reminded to keep pigs away from areas that have been cleared to protect kauri forest.
