: Natural resource managers and agricultural producers are seeking innovative tools to minimize damages caused by rapidly expanding feral pig (Sus scrofa) populations. One tool that has received little scientific inquiry is the use of exclusion fences to protect economically and ecologically sensitive areas. Our objectives were to evaluate the ability of electric fencing to minimize feral pig movements in a captive setting as well as in rangeland and agriculture land. In captivity, we tested a 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐strand electric fence. In our captive trial, we found 65% fewer intrusions (F2,18 = 20.46, P < 0.001) for electric fences (x̄ = 12.4, SE = 2.8) compared with nonelectric fences (x̄ = 35.6, SE = 6.9). We found no difference (F2,9 = 1.85, P = 0.212) for 1‐strand (x̄ = 28.1, SE = 7.8), 2‐strand (x̄ = 14.2, SE = 3.2), and 3‐strand (x̄ = 16.9, SE = 4.3) electric fences. However, we found 50% and 40% fewer crossings for the 2‐ and 3‐strand fences, respectively, compared with the 1‐strand fence. In our rangeland trial, we found 49% fewer intrusions (F2,18 =4.39, P = 0.028) into bait stations with a 2‐strand electric fence (x̄ =4.1, SE = 1.8) compared with no fence (x̄ =8.1, SE = 2.4). Finally, in our agriculture trial, we found 64% less damage (X22 = 5.77, P = 0.016) to sorghum crops with a 2‐strand electric fence (x̄ = 4.48, SE = 0.01%) compared with no electric fence (x̄ = 12.46, SE = 0.03%). Furthermore we found no (X11 = 3.72, P = 0.054) wildlife pathways in areas with an electric fence (x̄ = 0.0, SE =0.0) compared with no fence (x̄ = 2.4, SE= 1.3). No electric fence design we tested was 100% pig‐proof However, we found electric fencing restricted feral pig movements. Combining electric fencing with other damage control methods in an integrated management program may be the best method for alleviating feral pig damages.
Techniques to monitor populations of feral swine (Sus scrofa) relative to damage control activities are needed on rangelands. Our objectives were to describe and assess a mark-recapture technique using tetracycline hydrochloride (TH) for monitoring feral swine populations. We established bait stations at study sites in southern and central Texas. During 1 d, we replaced normal soured corn bait with bait containing TH and counted the number of feral swine that consumed bait with observers. We conducted feral swine removal using box-style traps and helicopters, at which time we collected teeth for TH analysis. In southern Texas, we estimated population reduction to be 43%. In central Texas, we estimated population reduction of 31%. Our mark-recapture population monitoring technique would complement programs to manage feral swine populations and damage through lethal control. Resumen Se necesitan técnicas para monitorear poblaciones de cerdos ferales (Sus scrofa) para actividades de control de dañ os en pastizales naturales. Nuestros objetivos fueron describir y evaluar una técnica de marca-recaptura utilizando hidrocloruro de tetraciclina (HT) para monitorear las poblaciones de cerdos ferales. Establecimos estaciones con cebo en las áreas de estudio en el sur y el centro de Tejas. Durante un día, remplazamos el cebo de maíz fermentado con cebo conteniendo HT y con observadores, contamos el número de cerdos ferales que consumieron el cebo. En el sur de Tejas, se estimó una reducción del 43% de la población. En el centro de Tejas, la reducción estimada fue del 31% de la población. Nuestra técnica de monitoreo de marca-recaptura podría complementar programas de manejo de control letal de las poblaciones de cerdos ferales y los dañ os que los mismos ocasionan.
Tetracycline hydrochloride (THC) is an ingestible antibiotic that produces a fluorescent mark on growing bone and may be combined with baits to aid ingestion by wildlife species. Feral pigs are an invasive species found throughout the United States. They are implicated in damages such as increased erosion, direct competition with native wildlife, destruction of habitat, disease transmission, and crop damage. Land managers are currently utilizing lethal and non-lethal control strategies to minimize damage. THC may be useful as a voluntary biological marker for feral pigs. Possible uses include mark recapture analysis, evaluation of large-scale movements, and determining the uptake of pharmaceuticals by feral pigs. We evaluated the palatability of THC for feral pigs, dosage necessary for adequate marking, and time necessary between ingestion and identification of marks. We found that feral pigs will consume THC when combined with palatable baits, that >150 mg THC is necessary for adequate marking, and that marks can be identified in teeth ≤7 days post ingestion.
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