Hunters thought to be source as DNA shows Vic and SA feral pigs stem from NSW

DNA testing has confirmed that feral pigs found in South Australia's Limestone Coast and Victoria's south-west share genetics with populations in New South Wales - leading authourities to believe hunters have illeagally introduced the animlas to these areas.

Limestone Coast Landscape Board operations manager Mike Stevens said it is likely people have been catching, illegally importing, and releasing wild pigs to the local area to establish a population for recreational hunting.

He said the the environmental and agricultural threat to the Limestone Coast from feral pigs is "huge".

"Pigs could have a catastrophic impact on the prime lamb industry and we have some significant piggeries, so if someone released a pig infected with Japanese encephalitis that would be a major biosecurity risk."

The Board has responded to three known attempts since 2022 to establish feral pig populations in Kingston, Robe, and Mount Burr.

Under South Australian law, those found guilty of releasing feral pigs face fines of up to $120,000 or two years imprisonment. The Board is urging anyone with information to contact local officers.

In Victoria, the Arthur Rylah Research Institute found similar genetic links. ARI principal scientist Dave Ramsey said the organisation was currently completing a project on the extent of feral pig populations in Victoria.

He explained the goal is “to get a better handle on where feral pigs were in the state, particularly on public land, and if there were areas of populations of particularly high densities that could carry an exotic animal disease (EAD), in the case of an outbreak.”