Australia plagued by feral pigs (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Phil Mercer
BBC News, Queensland

Scientists in Australia have warned that rising numbers of disease-ravaged feral pigs pose a threat to farmers and the environment.

Experts in the northern state of Queensland say that the pig population is out of control.

The pigs are causing untold damage to crops as well as threatening native wildlife, they say.

It is estimated there are 23m wild pigs in Australia. That means there are now more pigs than people.

In Queensland's rain forests, professional hunters are trapping large numbers of these feral scavengers.
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7042879.stm

[Mojorabbit]

1. There are no predators left

for them. They are a problem in florida. Esp the piney woods rooter. Hubby is a hunter and I have learned to make just about every kind of sausage there is, how to cure hams, make bacon you name it.
The florida panther is just about extinct and it is sad when nature becomes so unbalanced due to the widespread destruction of habitat.

[murielm99]

2. Diseased, too.

That is a shame. At least if they were disease-free, someone could get the benefit of eating the meat.

Naturally, they are an introduced species. Such things always play hell with the native environment.

Too bad. They are having enough trouble down under with the drought.

[kestrel91316]

3. I suggest the Aussies take up pig hunting. They are gonna need the food source.