A collection of government agencies plan to begin a winter campaign to eradicate the growing problem of feral hogs at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
LBL Public Affairs Officer Chris Joyner tells the News Edge the Department of Agriculture and other state agencies are planning the eradication campaign by trapping and using helicopters.
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Joyner notes hunting the feral hogs by the public is counterproductive.
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When the eradication process is underway, Joyner adds they will seek out areas void of visitors. The wild hogs pose a serious threat to visitor safety, culture sites and native plant and wildlife species at Land Between the Lakes, similar to the threat of the invasive Asian carp.
In 2018, officials report 70 wild hogs were euthanized by federal officials, and in 2019 that number grew to 124. Officials indicate feral hogs can have two litters each year averaging 5-10 piglets, with those offspring being able to give birth to a new generation in less than a year.
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