Feral Pig Control — Macadamia Orchard, Glass House Mountains Area

Background

A 180-acre macadamia orchard and mixed grazing property in the Glass House Mountains hinterland had been experiencing significant feral pig activity over the previous six months. The primary damage was in the macadamia rows: pigs were rooting under mature trees to access fallen nuts, causing root system damage and compacting the soil around the base of established trees. Irrigation infrastructure between rows had also been disturbed in several locations.

The landholder needed documented evidence of pest management activity for both an insurance inquiry relating to crop damage and a forthcoming application to a local council biosecurity co-funding program.

Operation

A 2-night thermal control operation was scheduled, with coordination extended to include a neighbouring cattle property whose owner had also observed pig activity along their shared boundary. The neighbouring landholder provided access on both nights.

Night 1 focused on the macadamia orchard blocks and the drainage corridor along the eastern boundary. Night 2 extended coverage to the grazing country and the shared boundary with the neighbouring cattle property.

Results

54 feral pigs were taken over the two nights — 31 on Night 1 and 23 on Night 2. The GPS cull data confirmed that the dominant activity was concentrated along the drainage corridor on the eastern boundary and in the two macadamia blocks closest to the eastern scrub margin.

The written report noted that activity from the adjacent state forest country was the likely primary source of ongoing pig pressure, and that coordinated follow-up with the neighbouring property was strongly recommended within 10–12 weeks.

Deliverable

A written GPS report was delivered within 3 days of the operation completing. The report included GPS cull locations, a property activity map, cull totals by night, population density estimates, carcass management records and follow-up recommendations. The landholder used the report to support both their insurance file and the council biosecurity program application.