The Brewarrina, Bourke and Wanaaring Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPB), the Department of Primary Industries, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Australian Government and the Western Catchment Management Authority are working together to undertake the aerial shoot as part of a $150,000 coordinated feral pig control program.
This is the second phase of the successful program conducted during the 2007-2008 financial year, which involved 200 landholders responsible for 98 individual properties.
Aerial shooting resulted in 584 pigs being shot, 45 traps were built and distributed and 150 tins of poison were distributed to landholders.
The aerial shoot will be held from November 22 to 31 and will start at the Culgoa National Park before heading south along the Darling River and finishing with the Cuttaburra and Warrego River Systems.
Brewarrina RLPB Ranger, Colin Betts, said the shoot will revisit old ground as well as some new areas.
“The Cuttaburra and Warrego River systems are being included this time because the rains earlier in the year resulted in flooding throughout that country has provided ideal breeding conditions for feral pigs,” Mr Betts said.
“We will also revisit some areas that had significant pig populations such as along the Culgoa and some individual hotspots along the Bogan and Barwon Rivers.”
Chair of the Western Catchment Management Authority, Rory Treweeke, said feral pig control improved land condition and water quality.
“Feral pigs can cause significant damage and foul waterways, particularly in fragile areas such as wetlands,” Mr Treweeke said.
“Aerial shooting is an effective method of controlling isolated pockets of pigs, which will prevent reinfestation if landholders are conscientious about follow-up control with baits and/or traps.”
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