Kangaroo Island declared feral pig-free after more than two centuries

Kangaroo Island, South Australia, has officially been declared free of feral pigs, marking the end of a more than 220-year-long infestation that began when French explorer Nicolas Baudin introduced the animals in 1803.

The picturesque island, already cleared of foxes, deer, and rabbits, has seen no feral pig sightings since the last three sows were destroyed in March 2024. This significant achievement comes after the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires, which ravaged much of the island's landscape.

Environmental authorities credit the bushfires with providing a unique opportunity to tackle the feral pig problem. Before the fires, an estimated 10,000 feral pigs roamed the island, causing approximately $1 million in annual damage to crops and natural habitats. The fires destroyed much of the vegetation, making the pigs more visible and vulnerable.

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The little bit of damage we were receiving turned into major damage. It would be nothing to have a paddock turned upside down overnight with large mobs of feral pigs, so all of a sudden we're facing a major challenge.

Following the fires, the Kangaroo Island Feral Pig Eradication Program was established with government funding. Since 2020, a comprehensive strategy involving thermal imaging-assisted helicopter culling, ground shooting, detector dogs, and ground baiting has removed 878 feral pigs. This success is expected to save the agricultural sector millions and protect native flora and fauna.

Rick Morris, former chair of Agriculture Kangaroo Island, noted that pig numbers had worsened in the early 2000s as more land was converted to plantations, reducing the number of farmers actively managing the population. "The little bit of damage we were receiving turned into major damage," he said, describing paddocks being overturned overnight by large mobs. Brad Page, principal biosecurity officer for pest animals at the Department for Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, called the eradication a "massive achievement."

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a massive achievement