Unexpected way pristine Aussie island wiped out invasive threat: ‘Not nice’

Kangaroo Island: It’s pretty wild what happened here. Authorities have managed to nearly wipe out the feral pig population, which was a huge problem for local wildlife. At one point, there were over 5,000 of these pests running around, causing chaos. But now, thanks to some unexpected help from the devastating bushfires in 2019-2020, their numbers have plummeted.

The fires, while tragic, took out about 90% of the pigs. It’s a bit grim to think about, but it gave the authorities a chance to jump in with a big eradication program. They kicked things off in July with a multi-million-dollar plan to finish the job. The pigs were targeted using some clever traps that only affect them, making it a pretty effective strategy.

Experts say feral pigs are a massive issue in Australia, with estimates suggesting there could be up to 50 million of them out there. That’s a staggering number! The lead researcher, Peter Hamnett, shared that the key to success is acting quickly and hitting the populations hard before they can bounce back.

The plan is to keep an eye on the island until 2026 to make sure no pigs are left. They’re using all sorts of methods, including aerial culling with thermal imaging, to track down any stragglers. It’s a big deal for the island, which is home to unique wildlife and stunning landscapes. The goal is to keep it that way by ensuring these invasive pigs don’t come back.