Comments on: Porcine Press – Goings On Around The World

By: Phillip Loughlin

Phillip Loughlin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:52:21 +0000

Heya Josh, I totally get the risk involved in bringing a non-native to a new environment, and in general, I agree with the need to avoid that at every opportunity. But when it comes to wild and feral hogs, I’m just getting the feeling that the risks are being overblown.

Why? Maybe there’s some coordinated effort by the livestock industry (who have several legitimate concerns). Maybe it’s the emotion-over-science “environmentalists” who can’t see past a narrow piece of the bigger picture. Or maybe it’s the hunting interests who want to keep the public’s support for hog hunting.

I don’t know.

Like any of these things, I’m sure the environmental concerns stem from best intentions. But with the exception of threats to some endangered species, the massive environmental damage just doesn’t seem to be forthcoming… and really, the hogs are extremely well established. They are not the end of the world.

I do agree with Beastslayer that overpopulation is certainly a problem, regardless of species. That is a situation that needs to be monitored and controlled, but for the most part, I don’t think we’re seeing overpopulation of hogs in most of the country.

I’m not suggesting that the states open up their arms to the encroachment of wild hogs. I think it’s generally advisable to try to keep them out of habitats where they’re not already established. But in TX, CA, FL, HI, and a few other states where they’re firmly entrenched, it’s time to look at the “problem” as one of wildlife management and NOT eradication.

By: Beastslayer

Beastslayer — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:57:32 +0000

No need to look very far. Tejon has a big population of pigs but at the same time had healthy grasslands. I believe these pigs help fertilizer and aid in aerating the soil with their rooting.

Overpopulation is damaging to the environment — whatever is the species.

By: Arthur

Arthur — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:59:56 +0000

I think it is definitely interesting to see wild boar introduced into an area in order for them to help the surrounding environment. You surely wouldn’t ever see that happening in the states, although the hogs aren’t native here either.

I often wonder about the “benefits” of wild hogs as well, but it doesn’t seem that any of our local DNR branches are seeing it that way.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:25:27 +0000

In native habitat, the flora, soil, watersheds, and other habitat pieces have adapted with the fauna, which is why reintroduction of native species is never seen as a threat. In the absence of native species, other natives can, in fact, become a nuisance to the habitat as a whole (see sea otters and sea urchin, for example).

There exists the possibility that new species with characteristics similar to earlier, extirpated species, or species that provide some habitat benefits in new or pressured habitat, might should at least be allowed to stay (I blogged about this recently). However, the benefit of the doubt really should go in favor of protecting the native habitat from incursions, with studies to follow.