source: Maidenwell Hotel - Debra
Here’s the weekend wrap up in long form. I’ll post an abbreviated version... moresource: Maidenwell Hotel - Debra
Here’s the weekend wrap up in long form. I’ll post an abbreviated version as well.
Distance and weather had a huge impact on our hunters, but wow did they produce some mighty results.
Saturday saw just one TEAM, Steady’s Mob, present a One Hunt Load, at 230kg, but Dion Boothby, lead the SOLO One Hunt Load charge with a 326.1kg haul.
9 Hunters presented on the day with a total of 21 hogs.
Heaviest boar at the end of day 1 was David Foley’s 82.6kg whopper. Close behind was Dion Boothby’s 72kg offering.
Saturday’s heaviest Sow was Neil Baines big girl @ 77kgs. Again Dion followed with a good size 58kg Sow.
Dion might have thought he was in the money in a big way at this stage, but Sunday was a whole new ballgame.
Sunday gave us what both the crowd and the boar hunters wanted.
HUNTERS TEAM dropped 5 hogs @ 301kg, STOOGES loaded up four for 199.55kg, and SLIP SLAYERS also had 4 for 221.45kg.
But the load that won the day dropped 23 hogs for a massive 1035.45kg.
TEAM DUGARDE was on fire and the assembled crowd loved the spectacle of hogs loaded like sardines on a rack.
37 hogs were presented for Sunday, but the daddy of them all was a massive boar from Adrian De Pauw . His 93kg Comp winning monster is destined for the taxidermist but Tevin Waerea’s 87kg Boar was a worthy challenger for Runner Up on the weekend.
Top Sow was huge 81.5kg winner from Tim Cherry with Neil Baines’ Saturday Sow Runner Up at 77kg.
THE STOOGES got top hooks @ 170mm, with Tim Cherry Runner up on 147mm. Great sportsmanship shown here.
Anthony Dugarde got lucky with one of his hogs hitting nearest the pin for the 46kg MYSTERY WEIGHT, and the kids loved the novelty events of an out and back obstacle course and a Gobble Guts eating comp.
Top effort from all competitors, spectators and sponsors. Special mention must go to Jesse Farr of Bristle Up Magazine, who assisted with weighing and dumping nearly every hog in the comp. greatly appreciated.
In all 58 pigs were presented over the weekend, for a massive 3999.95kg on the hook.
Results only version of this info to follow with Sponsors’ credits.
So check out today’s unofficial pics. less
THE kangaroo industry has called for an immediate halt to the construction of exclusion fences in western... moreTHE kangaroo industry has called for an immediate halt to the construction of exclusion fences in western Queensland.
Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia chief executive officer John Kelly said while exclusion fences were being funded by governments on the basis on stopping wild dog attacks to enable the rebuilding the sheep industry, the greater impact of the fences was on the macropod population.
“No one can seriously argue these fences are being constructed just to stop wild dogs,” Mr Kelly said.
“These fences are stopping kangaroos from moving around the landscape and they are physically killing themselves when they encounter these barriers. Imagine a kangaroo that sees a storm five miles in the distance.
“It will literally exhaust itself to death trying to get through that fence trying to get to that storm. The animal welfare implications of treating animals like this are just not being recognised.”
Roo meat processor Ray Borda, Macro Meats, said fencing was also reducing the quality of kangaroo meat.
Stressed animals were suffering from post capture myopathy, resulting in dry, tough meat with a shortened shelf life. There was also a noticeable increase in the amount of shrapnel being detected in meat, he said.
“We fully understand why landholders are putting up fences but it is really only a medium term fix,” Mr Borda said.
“We need long term solutions. The industry is dependent on landholders for access to the resource. The problem with the kangaroo industry at present is that no one in the chain makes enough money, including landholders.
“The kangaroo is unique to Australia. We need to focus on getting the real value from this incredibly healthy and sustainable product.”
The furore over exclusion fencing was sparked when ABC News reported claims that state government-funded cluster fencing was being used to inhumanely destroy kangaroos.
Member for Gregory, Lachlan Millar said kangaroos were in plague proportions in western Queensland.
“Mitigation activities have been undertaken by landholders long before the cluster fencing program was established and will continue after the program has finished,” Mr Millar said.
“The state government recognises the need for kangaroo mitigation, which is why they issue damage mitigation permits to landholders each year to humanely manage local kangaroo populations.
“However if anyone has evidence of cruelty to animals, they should immediately report it to the proper authorities.”
Mr Millar said the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative was established to protect prime sheep grazing country from wild dogs.
“Wild dogs, coupled with five years of unprecedented drought conditions across western Queensland, have had the sheep and wool industry on its knees,” Mr Millar said.
“Cluster fencing has been a game-changer. Lambing rates have increased from 20 to 90pc and for the first time in years, we’re seeing wool prices at 1500c/kg clean.
“I will not accept accusations that western Queensland graziers are using the state government cluster fencing program to cruelly kill kangaroos. This program is about enabling landholders to manage total grazing pressure.” less
Three guns and four cans of capsicum spray have been stolen from a remote Northern Territory police station after thieves... moreThree guns and four cans of capsicum spray have been stolen from a remote Northern Territory police station after thieves broke into a weapons safe. Officers from the central Australian community of Finke, about 421 kilometres south of Alice Springs, were away this week working at Kulgera community, about 200km west of Finke, when robbers broke into the station, which police said is not always manned. "There weren't officers there at the time, they were outside of the community, and it appears the offenders have taken advantage of that," acting assistant Commissioner Danny Bacon said. It took several days for the officers to learn of the theft, after being told by a member of the public on Wednesday that the station had been robbed. Police believe the thieves broke into a storage container using bolt-cutters to get through the chain wire mesh. "They've actually forced through the door of the police station, from that they've stolen a safe which contained the keys, then they've broken into that particular safe and stolen the three firearms," acting assistant Commissioner Bacon said. "The three firearms do remain outstanding, so we're asking members of the public if they do see those firearms or hear any information to call police immediately." A .22 Bruno CZ Rifle, a .308 Remington 700, and a 12G Remington 12G are missing. On Friday afternoon, police arrested a 20-year-old man from Finke. Acting assistant Commissioner Bacon said police didn't make public the theft on Wednesday because they didn't want to jeopardise the arrest of the man, who is in custody and assisting them with their investigation. The incident was a "learning opportunity" for police, who are now reviewing the security of the Finke station and the circumstances of the theft, so they can improve standards at all NT police stations and armouries, acting assistant Commissioner Bacon said.
Source ABC http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-25/guns-stolen-from-remote-northern-territory-police-station/8843788 less
Bob Katter took part in a recent western shoot at the Mareeba SSAA range. He joked that this might be the best way to bring... moreBob Katter took part in a recent western shoot at the Mareeba SSAA range. He joked that this might be the best way to bring the banks into line. Bob says KAP is the only party in Queensland that wants to do away with firearms registration which has been a long-held policy. Bob spent some time shooting at the range with pistol, rifle and shotgun. His pistol ability did not go unnoticed by the club. They want him to come back for a day’s competition. The veteran politician warns that if the Labor Party gets re-elected in Queensland with a majority, the state’s 600,000 shooters will be faced with restrictions on ammunition sales and even tighter restrictions on gun ownership. He says the ALP and LNP simply hate guns. less
Queensland Agriculture Minister has suggested landowners use category D firearms to manage feral pigs who are spreading TR4... moreQueensland Agriculture Minister has suggested landowners use category D firearms to manage feral pigs who are spreading TR4 between banana crops.
Scource The Land - https://goo.gl/38oGi3
UPDATED 12 noon: ILLEGAL hunting fines could double and a... moreScource The Land - https://goo.gl/38oGi3
UPDATED 12 noon: ILLEGAL hunting fines could double and a victim’s geographical isolation carry greater weight in sentencing as government tries to crack-down on stock thieves, trespassers, and poachers. Nearly 18 months since ordering a former top cop to review rural crime in NSW – and a year since said review was completed – Police Minister Troy Grant unveiled government’s plan to supercharge trespass laws and boost fines for illegal hunting in Dubbo this morning. The review lays bare the “deep sense of anger and frustration” over crime in rural areas, as well as despair over perceived police inaction, and inadequate penalties “if indeed the matter gets to court”. It also said many regional victims appeared resigned to crimes not being dealt with, leading to a drop in reporting, poor understanding of the law, and a belief among landholders it is up to them “to take matters into their own hands”. Former assistant commissioner Stephen Bradshaw’s review also says the state’s 34 Rural Crime Investigators were being sequestered for other duties – despite being created and resourced specifically for the purpose of rural crime. In response to Mr Bradshaw’s 22 recommendations, government has proposed a new aggravated trespass offence for trespass crimes that include an enhanced biosecurity risk, an intent to engage in stock theft, or if there is hunting equipment present. Rural crime – particularly rustling – has been a big problem for farmers amid high livestock prices. Stock theft has continued unabated in NSW this year with 1,717 cattle reported stolen between January and May, and 8,095 sheep – more than $2 million worth based on market conditions. In the year to March 2017 there were 479 incidents of stock theft. Of the 73 local government areas with three or more incidents, Gosford was the only one that could pass as a metro area. The worst hit were Inverell, Palerang, Upper Hunter, Warrumbungle, Tenterfield, Wagga Wagga and Guyra - all well in the bush. The New England Rural Crime Unit told the Inverell Times this month it was investigating the theft of 30 merino ewes from the Elsmore area - the second lot of sheep to have been stolen this year from the property. Mr Bradshaw recommended that a compulsory requirement to ear mark all stock over the age of 6 months, on the property on which they were bred, should be introduced. Meanwhile government also announced it will push for police to have ‘increased flexibility’ to seize vehicles connected with a game hunting offence, and will push to double of the maximum penalty for illegal hunting on private land from $1,100 to $2,200. Just this weekend Moree farmer Oscar Pearce reported ‘pig chasers’ had trespassed and driven over his chickpeas while he was off-property. Mr Bradshaw’s report illegal hunting was the only rural crime that has recorded consecutive rises over the past five years, with incidents on average increasing by around 29 per cent per year. The majority of these illegal hunting incidents involve the hunting of pigs with dogs, and in some instances, the hunting of both feral and native animals using a bow and arrow, Mr Bradshaw said. “It is likely that these offences are often undetected or are underreported, so the true incidence is likely to be significantly higher,” he said. Mr Grant said a victim’s geographical isolation could be mentioned specifically as an aggravating factor during sentencing. Other measures government will push for include: The ability to apply to the Local Court for a forced muster order, which will assist victims of stock theft; A deeming provision that will help to provide certainty of ownership to those who harvest rangeland goats for commercial gain Queensland introduced forced muster orders in 2014. Their order forces neighbours to round up animals belonging to someone else that may have strayed onto their property, as a result of broken fences. Police limitations laid bare Mr Bradshaw also recommended the establishment of a standalone ‘Stock Squad’, possibly within State Crime Command, reporting through to an Assistant Commissioner of Police and with a rank structure and dedicated intelligence analysts, providing for opportunities for promotion and additional training. He highlighted several limitations currently facing rural police and victims of rural crime. “Police stations are not staffed 24 hours and it may take many hours to receive a visit from a police officer, if indeed a... less
Pigs carrying infected soil through the banana growing districts of Far North Queensland could spell a biosecurity disaster... morePigs carrying infected soil through the banana growing districts of Far North Queensland could spell a biosecurity disaster for the industry, farmers say. The $600 million industry has shifted into damage control following the latest outbreak of Panama Disease Tropical Race 4 on a Tully property. Part of the biosecurity plan to halt the spread of the fungus includes movement-control measures to prevent the soil-borne pathogen from entering farms. Farmer Steven Lizzio, who grows bananas at Silkwood, 30 kilometres north of Tully, said pigs were a biosecurity headache for farmers. He said they travelled long distances and carried a ''fair bit of dirt''. On Tuesday night in the Queensland Parliament, Shadow Agriculture Minister Dale Last called on the Agriculture Minister, Mr Bill Byrne, to do more to combat pig numbers in the region. "The numbers of feral pigs in the Tully and Innisfail area have exploded in recent years, which is not surprising given the location and ad hoc approach to feral pig control," Mr Last said. "Feral pigs can easily travel 20 to 30 kilometres in a single night, and the risk they pose to farmers in terms of spreading TR4 disease is substantial." Control of feral pigs is the responsibility of landholders and local councils. But Mr Last wants a State Government-led program to target the pests, saying it's a task beyond the capacity of local pig hunters and banana growers. Changes in strategy Mr Lizzio said that the methods of pig control have to change following the new biosecurity guidelines. "Traps are something that have been trialled and they work really well,'' he said. He said because of TR4, it was longer 4realistic for pig hunters to operate in banana paddocks. Mr Lizzio said it should be the responsibility of every farmer to use traps. Mr Lizzio said he would like to see more intervention in national parks, which fringe the region's banana farms with thick scrub and rainforest. "It's where our big issues are,'' he said. ''I think the Government needs to step in. They own the national parks, so get in and clean up the feral pigs issues that are breeding up in there." Assurance sought from Commonwealth Mr Byrne said the Government was responding to the Panama Disease outbreak with exclusion fences to control animal movements as part of a $24 million response. He said he was concerned about the large numbers of feral pigs inhabiting the Department of Defence's Tully Training Area. "In the weeks after the initial [TR4] detection in March 2015 I wrote to the Minister for Defence raising the issue and the significant risk posed in terms of disease spread," Mr Byrne said. "I sought urgent assurances that the Department of Defence had allocated appropriate funds and resources to pig control on its property." In addition to exclusionary fencing, the minister said he had discussed the availability of semi-automatic firearms to farmers worried about pig numbers in the wake of the TR4 confirmation. less
There is growing concern in New South Wales about a disease that is spread by feral pigs and can cause infertility among... moreThere is growing concern in New South Wales about a disease that is spread by feral pigs and can cause infertility among humans and dogs. Swine brucellosis is widespread in parts of Queensland and infects pig-hunting dogs, but can also spread to humans through blood contact. In Australia, the infection is only common in feral pigs, not domestic pigs. University of Sydney Epidemiology lecturer Siobhan Mor said the disease was being detected in parts of north-western NSW and one dog has even been diagnosed in Sydney. She said they wanted to better understand how it was spreading and make people aware of the risks. "We're seeing an increasing number of dogs that are being infected, and there's certainly a need to understand and conduct further research on the feral pig side to understand what the distribution looks like," Dr Mor said. "At the moment, the big unknown is the feral pig situation, we don't know how much this disease is spreading within the feral pig population and that's really the next direction that we need to go in." Dogs infected while hunting or eating wild pig meat People who handle pig carcasses are at risk as well anyone whose blood becomes contaminated with the blood or tissue of a pig or dog carrying the pathogen, Dr Mor said. She said everyone needed to be aware of the risks. "The dog that was diagnosed in Sydney had an unknown exposure to feral pigs, because it was acquired from a pound at a very young age and was subsequently managed down in Sydney before it was diagnosed," she said. Areas such as Moree and Tamworth in the state's north have been identified as hotspots where dogs have been diagnosed with swine brucellosis, but Dr Mor said there was the possibility of it being carried further west. "There's also less health coverage out that way, too, so it's a little bit harder for people to take their dogs to the vet and get diagnosed," she said. "The same goes for people themselves, to go to a medical practitioner and get diagnosed, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if we were seeing cases outside those areas." A spokesman for the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said it was expected the dogs diagnosed in NSW had made close contact with infected feral pigs while hunting or eating uncooked meat of wild pigs. "The department has and will continue to engage with the local veterinarians to ensure they have the information and support necessary to manage the small number of cases," the DPI spokesman said. "DPI also continues to work and collaborate with NSW Health and Local Land Services to understand the risk posed by the disease and how best to manage it with the community." less
You might take a bullet for someone, but would you take a buffalo? A man is in hospital after taking the brunt of a charging... moreYou might take a bullet for someone, but would you take a buffalo? A man is in hospital after taking the brunt of a charging buffalo to protect someone else, in a remote part of the Northern Territory. A 61-year-old safari tour guide was attacked by the buffalo about 10:30am yesterday, around 170 kilometres north-west of Numbulwar. It is believed the buffalo charged at another man who had fallen to the ground, when the tour guide threw himself between the buffalo and the man. The tour guide suffered lacerations and suspected fractures, and had to be driven back to town before being flown to hospital. Clinic staff from the town of Numbulwar travelled several hours to retrieve the injured man, before he was airlifted to Royal Darwin Hospital. He was flown 600km by Careflight services before arriving at 8:00pm last night in a stable condition. It is not the first buffalo-related incident in the Northern Territory — another buffalo attack occurred in the same area nine months ago. It is not known which tour company was operating the safari. It is estimated 150,000 Asian swamp buffalo live in the Top End, with the majority of the population in Arnhem Land. less
ENVIRONMENT authorities are concerned about booming feral pig populations in southwest Victoria. Surveillance and trapping... moreENVIRONMENT authorities are concerned about booming feral pig populations in southwest Victoria. Surveillance and trapping undertaken by Forest Fire Management Victoria has confirmed feral pig populations are becoming established in several new locations in the southwest, the department said. “We believe the origin of these newly confirmed populations is most likely through importation and illegal release,” Forest Fire Management Victoria Officer James Downie said yesterday. “We are seeing evidence of feral pigs that have had their ears cut off consistent with the theory that some pigs were released with the intent of breeding up to allow for increased hunting opportunities.” While hunting pest animals is permitted in some state forests, cutting off pigs’ ears and the use of dogs to chase, hold and attack pigs is prohibited under the animal cruelty act. It is also illegal to import, keep, transport or release feral pigs within Victoria. less
7 News Australia - Theunis Botha, 51, had just fatally wounded a female elephant before he and his hunting mates were... more7 News Australia - Theunis Botha, 51, had just fatally wounded a female elephant before he and his hunting mates were set upon in Gwai, Zimbabwe The dying female managed to pick up Botha with her trunk before collapsing and crushing the hunter to death. The group had been on a walk when they came across the herd of four breeding elephants, shooting at three, before the fourth stormed in from the side. While friends and family paid tribute to the father-of-five, critics of big-game hunting labelled his death as “pure karma”. “You should be crying for the innocent elephant that was senselessly murdered not this idiot hunter who deserved what he got,” One man wrote. "RIP the elephants... Only... Poetic justice for once in a cruel unjust world," another commented. Along with his wife, Botha ran a big-game hunting company called Theunis Botha's Big Game Safaris and Hounds The South African specialised in big-game safaris and often took wealthy foreigners on hunts for lions, leopards and other animals. less
Kangaroo processing is set to ramp up in south west Queensland as a new processor, armed with contracts to supply an... moreKangaroo processing is set to ramp up in south west Queensland as a new processor, armed with contracts to supply an Australian independent supermarket chain, opens for business. Barco Queensland, owned by Gold Coast-based pet food manufacturer Millennium Pet Foods, opened an inactive game meat abattoir at Charleville in March, after signing a three-year lease on the facility. General Manager Daniel McGettigan said the plant would begin processing 1,000 kangaroos this week, after starting out at a rate of 300 to 400 carcasses per week. He expected this number could quadruple within months. "The demand [for kangaroo meat] is very big, very big," Mr McGettigan said. "I really, personally think in a matter of a few months we could be killing 3,000 to 4,000 roos a week and not have any trouble dispersing of the product." Barco Queensland's kangaroo meat is destined for both human consumption and pet food markets. "We pull three or four cuts that go directly into food service in Sydney and then we also pull a bit of trim and that sort of stuff into small goods blokes and that goes into Brisbane and Sydney," Mr McGettigan said. He said the rest of the product was used in pet food with contracts secured with wholesale produce distributor Metcash, the owner of IGA supermarkets. "We started off with IGA in Western Australia and they're going to handle up to seven tonne a week of diced and minced roo into packets into that chain," Mr McGettigan said. "Once we get that rolling, they'll start up the east coast [of Australia]." The Real Petfood Company (formerly known as VIP Petfoods) is the largest independent pet food manufacturer in Australia — an industry which Mr McGettigan said was difficult to crack. But he said he was confident in developing his business. "I feel at the moment that VIP and the bigger pet food places have such a control on the market. "I think there's a spot there for an Australian-owned company to come in and take on the overseas companies," he said. Mr McGettigan said establishing Barco Queensland and acquiring the abattoir at Charleville was a natural step for Millennium Pet Foods. "We've been buying our by-products in to process and we just thought we'd cut the middle man out and go direct and harvest the roos ourselves," he said. Mr McGettigan said infrastructure upgrades and installing more chiller boxes around the region might also be on the cards to draw greater volume through the Charleville abattoir. He said there was also potential to run night shift at the plant — a move which would double staff requirements. Site manager and Charleville local Leroy Holley said Barco's entry was welcome in the region, particularly with the precarious state of the roo industry in recent years. "Out here I think it's been very touch and go," he said. "There's been quite a few boxes open up and shut down and I mean there's only been two boxes out here that's been really consistent with the buying of roos. "Hopefully with us opening up we can increase numbers, which means more nights for shooters and more money for the town — and these little towns, they need the money." Mr Holley said Barco was paying shooters $0.75/kilogram for harvested whole kangaroo product. The abattoir's owner and former operator, Darren Pidgeon, previously had contracts to supply kangaroo meat for council-run coordinated wild dog baiting programs in the state's south-west. Barco Queensland has also attained some of these orders for the autumn baiting program. "Paroo [Shire Council] put in an order of 13 tonne for April and I think Charleville [Murweh Shire Council] will be around about the same volume," Mr McGettigan said. The abattoir is also processing 30 to 40 wild boars per week, which go direct into food service in Sydney. less
SKINS from tens of thousands of Victorian kangaroos are being wasted while processors wait for government permission to... moreSKINS from tens of thousands of Victorian kangaroos are being wasted while processors wait for government permission to export them, threatening the viability of a wildlife management trial farmers say is badly needed.One meat processor is estimated to have up to 10,000 kangaroo skins in a freezer, while another routinely destroys the skins, potentially worth $3 each, awaiting government approval to export. Lowan MP Emma Kealy said the approval process — which requires state and federal government agreement — could jeopardise jobs. “Victorian Petfood Processors now have a stockpile of kangaroo skins from the new harvest regions, which has significantly impacted on company cash flow and is putting 30 jobs at risk,” Ms Kealy said. That company, based at Hamilton and Casterton, is one of three Victorian processors involved in the state’s kangaroo pet food trial, which allows the wildlife to be processed, but not exported. While there is an overseas market for the skins to be used in football and shoe manufacture, there is no domestic market for the skins. “It’s like shearing a sheep and not being able to sell the wool,” VPP spokesman David Preece said. Mr Preece said his energy bill had risen 18 per cent in the past year, greatly adding to the cost of freezing the skins. At Countrywide Pet Foods at Stanhope, Michael Scales described the skins “as a wasted resource”. “I need the freezer space and I don’t hold out hope that they’ll be able to sell them,” he said. “We’re not making a huge amount of money … it makes the economics (of the trial) very marginal.” Established by the Coalition in 2014, the trial grants permits to destroy up to 25,000 kangaroos a year. It was designed so farmers in the Mitchell, Murrindindi, Mansfield, Strathbogie, Benalla, Wangaratta, Southern Grampians, Ararat, Pyrenees, Horsham, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack shires could apply for permits to have kangaroos on their farms destroyed and sold for processing. Last September, Bendigo, Glenelg, Loddon and West Wimmera shires were added to the trial, which was extended to March next year. At the time, Mr Preece sought approval to export the additional skins — as was granted in the initial trial — but so far the permission has not been extended. A Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning spokesman said the trial was no longer considered small. The spokesman said an application to export the skins under a Wildlife Trade Operation had been submitted to the Federal Government and it was awaiting approval. But the processors feared it could be too late. “There’s no certainty the trial will extend beyond March,” Mr Preece said. “We’re in limbo land. We haven’t heard anything and we’re worried the trial will not go ahead (beyond March).” Mr Scales said. Casterton farmer Shane Foster said his property was experiencing one of its worst years for kangaroo numbers. “At the moment, they’re just thick and the last three months the numbers have really increased,” Mr Foster said. “There could be up to 1000 kangaroos (on farm),” he said. Under the trial Mr Foster was granted permits to cull 100 kangaroos for processing. A spokesman for Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said Victoria would assess the trial later this year, before deciding whether it would continue. Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke hoped “common sense would prevail”. “Surely the state and federal governments can sit down to make this work,” he said. A spokesman for the federal Environment Department said it was working with the state on a plan that would allow the commercial export of kangaroo products. The Victorian Greens oppose the trial, which leader Greg Barber referred to as a “cowboy operation”. less
FERAL pigs could have met their match with a new “sleeping pill” heading their way.
The toxin, Hog-Gone, is... moreFERAL pigs could have met their match with a new “sleeping pill” heading their way.
The toxin, Hog-Gone, is being hailed as a breakthrough in defeating the pest in a humane way, essentially putting the wild animal “to sleep”.
“There is no evidence of struggling or pain at all,” Animal Control Technologies’ Linton Staples said.
“There’s no collateral damage to other species, and no impacts to the environment ... we’re quite excited about this being a major breakthrough.”
The toxin has been seven years in the making, with Prof Staples now finalising an application to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for the toxin’s use in Australia.
Currently there are few methods for controlling feral pigs — whose numbers in Australia can reach 25 million, depending on the season — beyond trapping and shooting, or using 1080 poison.
But Prof Staples said that given the pigs’ size, 1080 was not ideal because large amounts were needed for it to work.
Hog-Gone, in contrast, uses sodium nitrite, a food preservative that wild pigs can’t tolerate, and generally avoid.
Researchers have found a way to hide the sodium nitrite in a palatable bait which, once eaten, stops oxygen circulating in the bloodstream, similar to carbon monoxide poisoning. “The pigs don’t know anything about it,” Prof Staples said.
“It’s painless — they’re dead within an hour and there is no residue in the carcass,” he said.
In-pen trials show a success rate greater than 90 per cent, while in-field it’s about 80 per cent.
Feral pigs are a growing problem across Australia, their damage costing agriculture at least $100 million a year.
With no natural predators, the pigs can rampage unchecked, predating on young livestock, damaging fencing and destroying hectares of land in a night.
But the biggest threat is their potential to carry and spread a swath of diseases to livestock, particularly should their ever be an outbreak of foot-and-mouth.
Prof Staples said the toxin’s development was a “good example of teamwork”, with up to 40 people from different agencies and different countries working on the research. less
MORE than 60 hand guns, along with ammunition, were stolen during a robbery of a commercial premises in Perth’s east... moreMORE than 60 hand guns, along with ammunition, were stolen during a robbery of a commercial premises in Perth’s east over the weekend.
Detectives are investigating the burglary of the premises on Clapham Street in Beckenham.
The offenders struck between 10.20pm on Saturday and 2.50am Sunday morning.
Police would like anyone with information about the incident or if they know someone who is in possession of a large number of hand guns to contact them immediately on 13 14 44.
Information can also be passed on to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperswa.com.au less
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