Invasive species are defined as plants or animals that are nonnative to an ecosystem and often have broad negative impacts on the environment when introduced. Feral swine (Sus scrofa) may be the ultimate invader. They are cryptic, opportunistic, efficient, and highly adaptable. Feral swine damage to habitats, predation on wildlife, and disease transmission can be linked to the decline of hundreds of native plants and animals in the United States
The primary methods by which feral swine populations emerge on the landscape are through illegal transportation and release; domestic and agricultural escapes; and escapes from hunting preserves. Each of these pathways highlight the complex challenge in controlling feral swine populations.
Wildlife Services and their partners continue to operate within the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to implement on the ground control activities and promote outreach to prevent new introductions of feral swine in Michigan and Ohio. Increased monitoring efforts, coupled with rapid detection and early response, have lowered feral swine densities in Michigan. In Ohio, Wildlife Services has removed one emergent feral swine population and prevented two others from establishing themselves on the landscape.
Thorough surveillance, including the use of camera traps, helicopters, and public outreach has ensured these areas remain feral swine free. Dedicated wildlife damage management efforts like these by USDA Wildlife Services remain important to the conservation of habitat and promotion of native species biodiversity in the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Learn more about how USDA Wildlife Services is managing feral swine damage.