Simulation of management strategies for feral pig control in the wet tropics

This paper reports the development and application of the Feral Pig Management Model (FPMM). The model is used to examine the affect that alternative management strategies have on a feral pig population and thus the likely economic effect, over a 20-year planning horizon. The model is used to undertake a cost-benefit analysis based on the cost of control versus the benefit associated with the reduction of feral pig damage to agricultural crops. A number of alternative strategies are compared assuming the same types and levels of control measures (shooting, poisoning and trapping) applied. The research identified that irrespective of 'strategy configuration', more frequent control appears to have a higher ranking (lower total costs). Isolated knockdowns appear to have little impact on the feral pig population in the medium to long-term. Regular continuing control at high levels is identified as the optimal control strategy.