Feral Pigs

Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) have a profound impact on natural ecosystems, agriculture and cultural values.

Since 2018, the Conservation Ecology Centre (CEC) has been using ecological methods combined with practical land management techniques to actively manage feral pig populations in the Otways. Because feral pigs do not adhere to property boundaries, a coordinated, landscape-scale approach is essential for effective control at a landscape scale.

The CEC collaborates with a diverse network of land managers, including National Parks, Forest Parks, private plantations, water authorities, private land holders and communities to facilitate and deliver a unified approach to the threat.

With funding from The Ian Potter Foundation (2024 to 2027) we are currently working to:

1. Grow knowledge and understanding of the population size and distribution of feral pigs within the Otway Ranges, as well as the illegal behaviours exacerbating their spread.

2. Increase land manager engagement with feral pig management, both within the Otway Ranges and nationally via land-manager networks and organisations.

3. Raise awareness and build capacity to deliver effective feral pig management actions, both regionally and nationally via training events and dissemination of educational materials.

4. Significantly reduce the distribution of feral pigs within the Otway Ranges with the aim of effective localised eradication. This will serve as a demonstration of best practice, which can be applied to similar landscapes across Australia.

Additional funding though the Agriculture Victoria: Partnerships Against Pestsprogram will allow us to undertake further engagement around our work to communicate case studies and best practice. This will include community and stakeholder workshops, developing educational and training materials, and promoting these resources and best practice via media and social media.

This work has also been funded by Parks Victoria and DEECA under the Biodiversity Response Planning and Protecting Biodiversity program. It was also funded from 2020 to 2023 as a part of the Australian Government’s Wild Otways Initiative.

To report sightings or damage caused by feral pigs, please use FeralScan or contact us at the Conservation Ecology Centre.