LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has completed an effort to eradicate feral swine regarded as troublesome and dangerous in a federal wildlife refuge along the Colorado River.
Part of the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge was closed last month while USDA agents shot the animals from a helicopter, Today’s News Herald reported (https://bit.ly/2lrYmWG) Tuesday.
The hunt had initially been expected to last two weeks but it took less than four days.
“The eradication efforts proved to be highly effective and efficient,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Beth Ullenberg. “The (USDA) eradicated nearly 70 invasive feral swine on the refuge in just three-and-a-half days. Another 100 swine were eradicated by USDA during disease monitoring over the last year.”
The non-native pigs carry diseases and damage habitat and property. Refuge staff had noticed an increase in feral swine over the last several years and called on the USDA to help combat the problem.
Federal officials will continue to work with wildlife refuge staff to monitor the area for hog activity.
“These swine live in areas of the refuge that have thick, dense vegetation that can be nearly impossible for a person to trudge through,” said refuge Manager Richard Meyers. “For this operation to take only (3.5) days shows the expert skill of USDA personnel.”
Officials have said the carcasses will be buried.
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Information from: Today’s News-Herald, https://www.havasunews.com
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