Analysis of Feral Pig Eradication Techniques

The recipient of this award will support U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accomplishing a long term study on effective eradication techniques for feral pigs. Eliminating the detrimental effects of ungulates on vegetation, and acting as disease vectors is identified as a Priority 1 Recovery Action in the Hawaiian Forest Bird Recovery Plan (USFWS 2006). There is an immediate need for an aggressive strategy of feral pig eradication to avoid retreating from recent habitat improvements (e.g., re-forestation of pasturelands and out-plantings of endangered and rare native plants; Hess et al. 2010) and associated gains in endangered and other native bird populations.