Pig cull for park
Shepparton News, Page 4. Thursday, 10 September 2009
Shepparton shooters will join forces with other volunteers this weekend to help rid Barmah State Park of feral pigs.
The top island section of the park will be sealed off from the public when volunteers from the Sporting Shooters Association Australia enter the park to begin the cull.
The weekend marks the third year SSAA volunteers have been used in an ongoing program to reduce feral pig numbers in the park.
SSAA hunting and conservation manager Cohn Wood said the Barmah operation with Parks Victoria would have minimal environmental impact.
“We spread out and hunt in pairs so there is less damage to the area and it’s also a lot safer (than in a large group),” he said.
Mr Wood said despite the rare opportunity, only 10 or so hunters would be taking part and their success could be limited.
“It’s very hard to tell how they’re going to go, if they get in the right areas and get their organisation right then they could go all right,” he said.
Mr Wood said although the group had had great success clearing feral goats and foxes from other areas, they would not be included on Barmah’s target list.
“We managed to get over 50 foxes not long ago and hundreds of goats last month, but this time it’s just pigs,” he said.
Parks Victoria ranger-in-charge Kane Weeks said feral pigs had been of particular concern in the Barmah State Park.
“Unfortunately, feral pigs are difficult animals to control and to be successful, a variety of management methods is required,’ he said.
“We are confident that the SSAA operation will see a considerable reduction in numbers and environmental impact over time,” Mi Weeks said.
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