Wild pig populations contribute to impaired water quality in Texas, both directly through fecal deposition, and indirectly by altering wetland and riparian communities. Wild pigs are one of the most intelligent species (exotic or native) found in the United States. They learn to avoid danger very quickly and “half-hearted” attempts to control them just make them less susceptible to future control efforts.
The total pig population in Texas has been estimated recently (2011) at 2.6 million. However, estimates for the United States population as a whole are non-existent but “guesstimates” place that number between 4 million and 8 million animals. Some reports estimate total damage in the U.S. may be $1.5 billion annually.
For a free download of “Wild Pigs Negatively Impact Water Quality-Implications for Land and Watershed Management” go to http://www.agrilifebookstore.org/Wild-Pigs-Negatively-Impact-Water-Quality-p/enri-005.htm
To subscribe to the “Wild Pig Newsletter” please email Josh Helcel at Texas A&M
For articles and information about feral swine visit:
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s wild pig website: https://feralhogs.tamu.edu
National Wild Pig Community of Practice website: www.extension.org/feral_hogs
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton:
http://overton.tamu.edu
http://wild-wonderings.blogspot.com/
https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0195.pdf
http://feralhogs.tamu.edu/files/2010/05/RecognizingFeralHogSign.pdf