Despite their worldwide impact and their well-understood ecology in Australia, feral pig control has lagged behind that of other pest species - in terms of broad-scale management tools such as toxic and biological controls.

The IA CRC feral pig research projects capitalise on our predecessor (the Pest Animal Control CRC’s ) research streams.   Specific projects were set up to :

1. Register and commercialise a 1080 feral pig bait- PIGOUT^®.  This product has been developed, extensively tested and has recently passed through the stringent Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority's controls.
2. Develop, register and commercialise an alternative toxin to be carried within the PIGOUT® feral pig bait.  Trials are underway at the present time.
3. Adapt PIGOUT® baits to carry vaccines (possibly pseudo-rabies) and fertility control agents for international collaborators.
4. Investigate the potential of synthetic lures that aid in feral pig trapping and/or bait location.
   

This project has a distinct commercial focus, aimed at enhancing feral pig control options for public and private land mangers.  The project also ties in with two demonstration sites within the IA CRC Uptake Program, namely Kangaroo Island and the Daintree Rainforest.   Within those sites, trials of new bait products and control methodologies are taking place. 

This project is also truly international, with trials occurring simultaneously in four countries (Australia, New Zealand, America and Britain).

We also gratefully acknowledge the following organisations and agencies for funding this project: Meat & Livestock Australia Ltd, Federal Department of Education, Science and Training, National Feral Animal Control Program (Bureau of Rural Sciences), Wildlife Exotic Disease Preparedness Program, Federal Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

Project collaborators:

Animal Control Technologies Aust. P/L
Queensland Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
New South Wales Dept Primary Industries
Pestat Pty Ltd
Kangaroo Island NRM Board
Environment ACT
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
USDA National Wildlife Research Centre
UK Central Science Laboratory
Landcare Research, New Zealand
UK Veterinary Laboratory Agency