Biosecurity experts are urging communities across the South West Sydney region to report unusual animal activity in their neighbourhood following the capture of a feral pig at Voyager Point.
Bush regeneration officers from Liverpool City Council contacted the Greater Sydney Local Land Services biosecurity team after noticing pig tracks in bushland close to houses.
Biosecurity officer Annaliese Geddes said the lone pig has become “landlocked” in the area and posed a significant threat to residents as well as native animals and bushland.
“We found faeces, tracks and evidence of digging up of the native riverbank, wetland and saltmarsh vegetation, leaving these areas susceptible to erosion and weed establishment as well as depleting food supply for native species,” she said.
“We believe the animal was dumped in the area and had been there for about a year.”
Ms Geddes said the cooperation of a local landholder was crucial to the successful removal of the pest.
“The resident agreed to let us set up remote cameras in their backyard so we were able monitor the pig’s movements via video and ensure we set the trap in the best possible place,” she said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Our officers then took blood samples to test for a number of serious infectious zoonotic diseases which can have health implications for both humans and other animals. Thankfully in this instance, the results were negative.”[/social_quote]
The capture of the pig at Voyager Pointy comes in the wake of reports of three feral pigs sighted in bushland near Campbelltown earlier this year.
Campbelltown Council is believed to be looking into the sighting, which was also captured on video.
Ms Geddes said it was important the community was aware of the signs of feral pig and other pest animal activity, even in built-up residential areas.
“If you notice unusual tracks, if your dog is barking excessively at night or you see strange burrows on or near your land report it, the community is our first line of defence when it comes to reducing the impact of pest animals in our region,” she said.
On top of the severe environmental impacts, feral pig damage is estimated to cost Australian agriculture more than $100 million a year.
For assistance or advice contact Greater Sydney Local Land Services on 4724 2100.
Must have been a lonely year for that little pig! Caught in no-man’s land!!
That’s very droll, Elizabeth Gossell. Humorous contributions are welcome in these parts of the world wide web.
Keith Drain