Toughen up on feral pigs

WE LIVE in a modern cosmopolitan city, a major tourism destination, yet we have to contend with some extraordinary wildlife issues.

If it’s not flying fox bats, it’s wallabies being pushed out by suburban growth, crocodiles boldly going where they have never been before, snakes in roofs and gardens, stingers and sharks in the ocean and wild pigs on our streets, highways and backyards.

Wild pigs are venturing from the rainforest into suburbia and wreaking havoc in gardens and on the streets.

Motorist Chantelle Joseph was lucky to escape injury on Wednesday about 10.30pm when she struck a feral sow just north of the Veivers Rd turn-off at Palm Cove.

The car’s front bumper, right-side panel and driver’s door were damaged. The pig was killed in the collision.

Ms Joseph says she has noticed an increase in wild pigs in the area and is urging the regional council to take action.

The council has been setting traps at “key locations” for many years but there appears to be a particular problem in the Palm Cove vicinity.

Earlier this year, about 30 feral pigs were ripping up the seaside suburb. The council set traps. At least seven were caught.

As with the crocodile situation, authorities take a soft approach to pig management.

So there is no shooting or culling, nor is there a baiting program.

Instead, traps are used and the lure isn’t meat, but fruits to entice the feral animals. So don’t expect a reduction in the pest, but an increase. Sounds familiar? A limp-wristed approach just doesn’t work. Nick Dalton Deputy editor