Oz: more wild pigs than humans


They call themselves “grunter hunters".


They call themselves “grunter hunters“, but the small army of Australians who spend their weekends stalking wild pigs through the bush are finding themselves increasingly outnumbered.

Their high-powered rifles, hunting dogs and “pig rigs” - specially equipped trucks - are proving no match for an explosion in the number of feral pigs roaming the country’s forests, mountains and savannah plains.

Official estimates suggest there are now 23 million feral pigs in Australia, outnumbering the continent’s human population of 21 million.

And perhaps the worst news is that their meat cannot be eaten, due to worm infestation and disease.

Wayne Thomas, of Queensland Canegrowers, said eradication is all but impossible. “They’re entrenched in very wild country. It’s all thanks to Captain Cook. Letting them loose was not the smartest thing he ever did.”

Australia really seems to have received more than a fair share of visitors who didn’t have an environmental clue.

Posted: Sun - October 7, 2007 at 05:38 AM