Wild Boar Problem Grows

During the past three months, more wild hogs showed up throughout Michigan, evidence of a growing problem with potentially severe consequences. Acting on reports from neighbors, I found (with little effort), three wild boar carcasses (minus most of the meat) in just one square mile in Saginaw County. All three were along a road and were either hit by cars or dumped there after being shot elsewhere.

Citizens who kill or find wild hogs are asked to contact the DNR. The evidence may be helpful in determining where hogs are most abundant. Reasonably fresh parts, especially the head, can be sampled and tested for diseases, something the Michigan Department of Agriculture is very concerned about. Wild hogs carry pseudorabies and several other diseases that could cripple the domestic swine industry.

As reported in the last two issues of The Wildlife Volunteer, wild hogs cause $800 million of damage annually to crops, lawns, fences, and forest resources nationwide.

Dr. Patrick Rusz
Director of Wildlife Programs