APPENDIX. Proposed Feral Swine Actions For Pennsylvania. Prepared By. Pennsylvania Feral Swine Task Force. November 16,

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1 APPENDIX Proposed Feral Swine Actions For Pennsylvania Prepared By Pennsylvania Feral Swine Task Force November 16,

2 Monday, November 17, 2008 The Pennsylvania Feral Swine Task Force is co-chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Executive Director of Game Commission and together with the Task Force members Agriculture and Game Commission are working collaboratively to address the problem of feral swine in Pennsylvania. To support the efforts of the Governor s Invasive Species Council to comprehensively address invasive species of concern in Pennsylvania, the Feral Swine Task Force has reviewed the goal statements identified by the Council in such areas as Risk Assessment, Prevention, Early Detection and Rapid Response, Control, Restoration, Data Management, Survey and Monitoring, Research, Education and Outreach, Key Personnel and Funding to develop a template for an action plan for feral swine. This template includes Objectives, Goal Statements and Proposed Actions that are applicable to the feral swine issue in Pennsylvania and excludes those Objectives and Proposed Actions that were determined not relevant to this issue. The Task Force supports the following proposed actions and will work together - once dedicated funding becomes available in Pennsylvania either, through state or federal dollars; to implement a rapid response program to eradicate feral swine from Pennsylvania in the next 5 years. How to read this document: This document is an appendix to the Pennsylvania Background Paper on Feral Swine, April 28, Goal Statement: Derived from efforts of the Pennsylvania Invasive Species Council Aquatic and Terrestrial Work Group to comprehensively address invasive species of concern in Pennsylvania through development of a comprehensive management plan. 2. Proposed Action: Derived from efforts of the Pennsylvania Invasive Species Council Aquatic and Terrestrial Work Group to comprehensively address invasive species of concern in Pennsylvania through development of a comprehensive management plan. 3. Response to Proposed Action: Developed by the Feral Swine Task Force. Response either captures specific implementation occurring or indicates lead agency (s) commitment to pursue action. 4. Game equals Pennsylvania Game Commission; AG equals Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture; Wildlife Services equals United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service- Wildlife Services). Sincerely, Melissa Bravo, Terrestrial Work Group Chair Governor s Invasive Species Council of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture 20

3 PROPOSED FERAL SWINE ACTIONS FOR PENNSYLVANIA Prepared By Pennsylvania Feral Swine Task Force November 17, 2008 Feral Swine Occurrence in Pennsylvania Feral Swine Observed BLAIR COLUMBIA ERIE FRANKLIN HUNTINGDON INDIANA JEFFERSON NORTHAMPTON PERRY SCHUYLKILL SOMERSET SULLIVAN SUSQUEHANNA TIOGA UNION VENANGO WYOMING Feral Swine Breeding Observed BEDFORD BRADFORD CAMBRIA ERIE WARREN MCKEAN SUSQUEHANNA POTTER TIOGA BRADFORD CRAWFORD WAYNE FOREST WYOMING VENANGO ELK CAMERON SULLIVAN LACKAWANNA MERCER LYCOMING PIKE CLARION CLINTON LUZERNE JEFFERSON LAWRENCE MONTOURCOLUMBIA MONROE CLEARFIELD BUTLER CENTRE UNION CARBON ARMSTRONG SNYDER NORTHAMPTON NORTHUMBERLAND BEAVER INDIANA MIFFLIN SCHUYLKILL JUNIATA LEHIGH ALLEGHENY CAMBRIA BLAIR PERRY DAUPHIN BERKS LEBANON WESTMORELAND HUNTINGDON BUCKS WASHINGTON CUMBERLAND MONTGOMERY LANCASTER BEDFORD SOMERSET CHESTER PHILADELPHIA FAYETTE FULTON FRANKLIN YORK DELAWARE GREENE ADAMS Map provided by PA USDA Wildlife Services, November

4 PRELIMINARY RISK ASSESSMENT Goal: To establish a comprehensive process to identify invasive species of greatest concern that are not yet present, not established, or not yet widespread in Pennsylvania. A. Proposed Action: Utilize and evaluate risk assessments already developed (International, Federal, State, and Local) to facilitate risk assessment development for priority species in Pennsylvania. a. Not indigenous to Pennsylvania. i. Feral Swine are indigenous to Europe and Asia. They have been introduced into America and significant populations exist in at least 15 States. Feral swine have been reported in as many as 21 counties 1 in Pennsylvania and are a recent occurrence. b. Naturalized. i. Reports of free ranging feral swine were first documented in the Southwest Region of Somerset County in Since then, feral swine have established populations in Pennsylvania and the numbers are increasing. ii. Hogs have the ability to adapt or devolve to a wild state within a few weeks after release and to morphologically change in a few generations better adapting them to a wild setting. c. Have the biological potential for dispersing over spatial gaps away from intensively managed artificial habitats. i. Hunting (human, dog, coyote) pressure has caused feral swine populations to disperse throughout Pennsylvania. ii. Feral swine escapes have been documented from established hunting preserves in large numbers and as the populations grow, dispersal is inevitably occurs as they search for find food sources. iii. Other states have had problems with purposeful releases and in some states (Iowa) feral hog populations occurred due to escapes from Domestic hog production. Because hogs can interbreed this makes the accidental bolstering of feral populations a problem, as well as increases genetic diversity in a possibly genetically isolated populations. iv. If no feral populations existed, accidental escapes from Domestic herds would be easier to capture. d. Have the biological potential for existing and reproducing in high numbers away from intensively managed artificial habitats. i. Feral swine populations exist in Pennsylvania in both unmanaged as well as natural areas and sometimes in urban areas. 1 Based on information provided by Game Commission- October,

5 e. Have numerous individuals in many populations. i. Feral swine are a herd animal that congregate in family units and reproduce quickly by having at least 1 litter a year and usually 2, consisting of as many as 4 to 8 young per litter. f. Have the potential for rapid reproduction and establishment in natural communities. i. Feral swine reproduce quickly by having at least 1 litter a year and usually 2, consisting of as many as 4 to 8 young per litter. Juveniles reach reproductive age around 9 months. g. Be able to out-compete other species in the same natural community. i. Feral swine destroy habitat and wildlife by rooting and wallowing. Habitat degradation includes erosion along waterways and wetlands and the loss of native plants. Additionally, feral hogs compete with deer, bears, turkeys, squirrels and all other ground-feeding birds and mammals for food. They are predators of small mammals and deer fawns as well as ground-nesting birds such as turkeys, ovenbirds and grouse including their nests and young. Many of the species that can be most adversely affected by feral swine are listed as species of greatest conservation need in Pennsylvania s Wildlife Action Plan. ii. Feral swine are opportunistic omnivores with a keen sense of smell allowing them to find and eat a wide range of food items, including native plant and animal matter, agricultural crops, and garbage. iii. Feral swine impact water quality in springs and seeps; causing impacts to amphibians (salamanders) and aquatic plant life. h. Be a host to another invasive species. i. Swine brucellosis has been reported in wild pig populations in at least 14 States in the United States. The disease can be spread to domestic swine if wild pigs come in contact with local herds. Humans can also contract swine brucellosis through the handling of infected tissues of wild pigs. Another important disease harbored by wild pigs is pseudorabies. This disease is invasive and of great economic importance to the domestic swine industry. It weakens pigs, leaving them susceptible to other problems, and causes abortions and stillbirths. Pseudorabies (PRV) is also fatal to a wide variety of wildlife species. Both diseases are classified as dangerous transmissible diseases. Their existence in commercial livestock would trigger quarantines and severely and negatively impact national and international exportation of livestock from Pennsylvania. i. Harmful to human health, economic health and ecological health. i. Feral swine are known to carry 18 viral diseases, 10 of which can infect people; and 10 bacterial diseases, all of which cause disease in humans. ii. Feral swine cause crop damage as well as infect herds in agricultural industries with several diseases

6 iii. Feral swine cause extensive damage to natural area plant communities, waterways, wildlife habitat, and wetlands as well as too gardens and fences. B. Proposed Action: Use monitoring data collected within Pennsylvania, neighboring states and elsewhere in the United States to assist with the development of risk assessments for invasive species. a. Feral swine disease surveillance has occurred in 8 counties in Pennsylvania (no disease carrying individuals have been found yet). Feral swine are currently being monitored in 21 counties in Pennsylvania. b. Feral swine are currently being monitored and controlled in 32 states, and every state where they occur has some type of control program, even states where hogs are considered a game animal (TN, FL) have specific control programs in sensitive ecosystems. c. Use monitoring data to support additional research in Pennsylvania to evaluate potential problems caused by expanding feral swine populations in the state. C. Proposed Action: Evaluate other existing risk assessments and criteria for the determination of the invasive tendencies of a species. a. Invasive tendencies and risk of feral swine are well established. D. Proposed Action: Using these processes, prioritize TAXA of invasive concern for action. a. Based on the above information the Feral Swine Task Force moves too i. Action: Accept. ii. Feral swine are a prioritized TAXON of invasive concern in Pennsylvania. 24

7 RAPID RESPONSE Goal: To develop a system for early response to control or contain target species before the species can become permanently established. A. Proposed Action: Develop specific rapid response action plan for feral swine. a. The Feral Swine Task Force Background Paper on Feral Swine in Pennsylvania and Proposed Action Plan for Feral Swine in Pennsylvania. B. Proposed Action: Implement a coordinated system for rapid response efforts to contain or control newly detected sightings of feral swine. a. Sightings reported to members of the Feral Swine Task Force, USDA Wildlife Services or PA Game Commission. Information passed to Wildlife Services or Game Commission field staffs who initiate trapping efforts in areas where sightings occur. C. Proposed Action: Identify and involve stakeholders in rapid response planning efforts. a. Feral Swine Task Force, Game, Wildlife Services D. Proposed Action: Identify and support personnel training needs and interagency partnership for successful rapid response operations. a. Game, Wildlife Services, AG E. Proposed Action: Develop quarantine orders or Executive Orders (in the event of need) for successful rapid response. a. Game, AG F. Proposed Action: Identify and acquire equipment necessary for successful rapid response operations. a. Game, Wildlife Services G. Proposed Action: Have the licenses and permits necessary for specified control techniques and the necessary authority for purchased services and agreements necessary for mutual aid with other states and federal agencies for successful rapid response. a. Game, AG, Wildlife Services H. Proposed Action: Limit the spread of feral swine into uninfested areas. a. Game, Wildlife Services I. Proposed Action: Implement a coordinated system for rapid response efforts to contain or control newly detected feral species. a. Game, Wildlife Services, AG

8 J. Proposed Action: Communicate too policy makers and legislative staff the need for funding for rapid response initiatives. a. Request for additional funding for continued surveillance of feral swine was submitted to the Governor s office in March of 2008 i. No action taken at this time. b. DCNR and Non government organizations have also made requests in

9 CONTROL Goal: Prioritize organisms on which to focus control effort, and when feasible, control established invasive species that have significant impacts in Pennsylvania. A. Proposed Action: Explore and utilize the various methods available to control feral species (mechanical, chemical, biological). a. Trapping, snaring, shooting, Judas animal, sterilization of hogs on hunting preserves are all examples of methods available to control feral species. b. Baiting coupled with trapping (cage, corral) and trapping techniques (cable restraints) are currently the best management tactics recommended and are the methods being deployed in Pennsylvania. B. Proposed Action: Identify high priority areas to control based on agricultural impacts, sensitive habitats, threats to humans and population sizes. a. Game, Wildlife Services C. Proposed Action: Support the development of special use permits for control situations that are not currently labeled for use in the state. a. Game i. Game has provided training in the use of wire snares to licensed trappers. These individuals are then notified of feral swine sightings in their areas. Bait for trapping is provided by Game. D. Proposed Action: Assess the efficacy of control measures and evaluate management interventions and adapt methods as necessary to achieve management needs. a. Game, Wildlife Services

10 PREVENTION Goal: To identify pathways and priority species and minimize the introduction and spread of free ranging domesticated species, feral species, species with invasive characteristics or species of limited distribution. A. Proposed Action: Develop a system to evaluate pathways (how domestic species become free ranging) and potential prevention strategies addressing these pathways. a. Regulations addressing the illegality of releasing feral swine into the wild already exist. Additional regulations dealing with specifications and maintenance of adequate enclosures for captive wild boar need to be promulgated. Additional personnel for enforcement need to be hired by Game and AG. B. Proposed Action: For priority free ranging domestic animals identified through risk assessment processes, develop and implement appropriate management actions required to prevent their further establishment in PA. a. Feral Swine Task Force has identified through established risk assessment processes that feral swine are a priority for PA and Game and Wildlife Services are developing appropriate management actions to prevent their further establishment. C. Proposed Action: Review existing programs and policies which address the prevention of free ranging domestic species in Pennsylvania and identify opportunities for improving their effectiveness. a. Game, Agriculture, Wildlife Services D. Proposed Action: Communicate too policy makers and legislative staff the need to support proposed authorities as they relate to the prevention and control of free ranging domesticated species. a. Testimonials and call to action papers are being developed by non-government organizations in Pennsylvania. E. Proposed Action: Require a license, liability insurance bondage, and cooperation with mandatory inspections of pre-established hunting preserves in the legal business endeavor of raising captive wild swine for sport. a. License fees should be high enough to deter hobbyists from filing for business permits. License fees could be high enough to help pay for control efforts or mitigate damage caused by hogs in other areas of the state. i. No action taken at this time. F. Proposed Action: Reject the establishment of new preserves until regulatory laws have been put into place. a. No action taken at this time. 28

11 G. Proposed Action: Legislate the number of hunting preserves in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and establish a maximum limitation. a. No action has been taken at this time. H. Proposed Action: Create legislation or regulations that would require specifications for fencing, disease testing, identification tagging, and castration of all intact boars held in hunting preserves for population control. a. No action taken at this time. I. Proposed Action: Implement fencing specification requirements for all outdoor swine operations to limit escapes into the wild. a. No action taken at this time. J. Proposed Action: Investigate the feasibility of a feral swine stamp for hunting preserves where all fees would be returned to control and eradication of free ranging feral populations. a. No action taken at this time. EARLY DETECTION Goal: Detect new introductions of invasive species in Pennsylvania before they have a chance to become a widespread problem. A. Proposed Action: Prioritize early detection efforts by location and species. a. PGC Executive Order identifies counties and feral swine populations that have been target for trapping. Lack of funding restricts expansion of this effort to other counties and other populations. B. Proposed Action: Establish a simple, coordinated reporting system (s) for detection and monitoring. a. Game, Wildlife Services C. Proposed Action: Facilitate regional cooperation. a. Feral Swine Task Force D. Proposed Action: Communicate to policy makers and legislative staff the need for funding to hire field staff. a. No action taken at this time

12 MONITORING AND INVENTORY Goal: Monitor and inventory prioritize infestations of invasive species in Pennsylvania. A. Proposed Action: Prioritize monitoring efforts for species of concern. a. Game, Wildlife Services B. Proposed Action: Assess damages to property impacted by feral swine and investigate whether feral swine enter fenced enclosures causing damage. a. Game, Wildlife Services EDUCATION AND OUTREACH Goal: Educate the general public and target people involved in the business and trade of invasive species and inform government and legislatures about invasive species issues. A. Proposed Action: Develop and distribute feral species educational materials targeted to specific, Public Pathways Of Introductions a. Send revised feral swine brochure and feral swine background paper to all preserves in the state. B. Proposed Action: develop and distribute materials to increase awareness of the risk feral species pose in terms of hosts of diseases and damage to personal and natural resource property. a. Feral Swine Brochure, Feral Swine Background Paper C. Proposed Action: Develop a program to educate the industrial business owners of hunting preserves on risk, disease, damage and their responsibility to cooperate with control efforts. a. No action taken at this time. The Invasive Species Council coordinator is willing to pursue this if funding becomes available. D. Proposed Action: Distribute educational materials to industry producers and industry customers. a. Feral Swine Brochure, Feral Swine Action Paper i. Feral Swine Task Force, Invasive Species Council Coordinator 30

13 KEY PERSONNEL AND FUNDING Goal: Identify key personnel and funding to coordinate terrestrial invasive species issues in Pennsylvania among local, state and federal agencies and organizations. FUNDING A. Proposed Action: Work with the Governor s Office, legislature and other council members and partners to establish permanent funding for management of a targeted invasive species. 1. Current Monies. What do we have now for Feral Swine? a. Game allocates internal funds for the development of public information (website and brochure). b. Wildlife Services has received $20, from the USDA Livestock Protection Program to trap feral swine in PA. i. No state agency has line item funding for Feral Swine in Pennsylvania. 2. Operational Costs. What are the costs associated with control? a. PA has not determined yet the costs associated with implementing control of feral swine as the program is still in its start up phase. b. Cage or Corral traps average about $ per trap and multiple traps are necessary for individual populations. 3. Future Treatment, Operating and Program Monies. i. Based on the experiences of other states, and extrapolated to PA s size and number of potential feral swine, costs will exceed $250, even over just a few years to effectively implement a Feral Swine Action plan for control in Pennsylvania. KEY PERSONNEL A. Proposed Action: Identify existing key personnel in public and private organizations and their responsibilities and authorities. a. Game, Wildlife Services, AG, Feral Swine Task Force B. Proposed Action: Identify gaps in personnel in state agencies, and public and private organizations and support the creation of permanent positions to fill these gaps. a. A program manager is needed for a state wide control program to fully implement this proposed action plan

14 PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION EXECUTIVE ORDER MAY 7,

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18 PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION Press Release October 27, 2008 Release # Oct. 27, 2008 For Information Contact: Jerry Feaser GAME COMMISSION REMOVES PROTECTION ON FERAL SWINE HARRISBURG Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe recently rescinded protection on feral swine found in the wild in Butler, Bedford and Cambria counties. In May, when we removed protection on feral swine in Pennsylvania, we maintained the protection on them in Butler, Bedford and Cambria counties to facilitate trapping by the U.S. and Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture, Roe said. Trapping is viewed as the most effective way to remove feral swine from the wild, because it limits their dispersal into new areas. However, as we are now outside the time of year in which trapping is most effective, we want to afford hunters the maximum opportunity to remove feral swine that they encounter while participating in the upcoming big game seasons. The Game Commission has determined that the eradication of feral swine from Pennsylvania is necessary to prevent further harm to public and private property, threats to native wildlife and disease risks for wildlife and the state s pork industry. We are not seeking to establish a hunting season for feral swine, but rather we are committed to rid Pennsylvania of this invasive species, Roe said. Licensed hunters, including those who qualify for license and fee exemptions, are eligible to participate in the unlimited incidental taking of feral swine. They may use manually-operated rifles, revolvers or shotguns, as well as and muzzleloaders, bows and crossbows. All other methods and devices legal for taking feral swine much be conducted in compliance with the provisions of Section 2308 of Title 34 (Game and Wildlife Code), which can be view on the agency s website ( in the Laws & Regulations section in the left-hand column of the homepage. Any person who kills a feral swine must report it to the Game Commission Region Office that serves the county in which the harvest took place within 24 hours. Residents who witness feral swine also are urged to contact the Region Office that serves their county. For contact information, as well as list of counties that each region office serves, visit the Game 36

19 Commission s website ( click on the Contact Us link in the left-hand column of the homepage and scroll down to Region Offices. Nearly 25 states across the nation have persistent and possibly permanent populations of feral swine established in the wild, and Pennsylvania is one of 16 new states where introduction is more recent and may still be countered through decisive eradication efforts. Feral swine have been declared to be an injurious, non-native, invasive species of concern in Pennsylvania that are suspected to have been introduced into the wilds of this Commonwealth through a variety of means, including both intentional and unintentional releases. Feral swine also have been determined to pose a significant, imminent and unacceptable threat to this Commonwealth s natural resources, including wildlife and its habitats; the agricultural industry, including crop and livestock production; the forest products industry; and human health and safety. The Game and Wildlife Code (Title 34) and agency regulations (Title 58) provide broad authority to the Game Commission to regulate activities relating to the protection, preservation and management of all game and wildlife. However, the agency was only recently declared to have jurisdiction over matters relating to feral swine by the state Supreme Court in Seeton v. PGC. In its decision, handed down on Dec. 27, the Supreme Court decision declared feral swine to be protected mammals, and, as a consequence, feral swine could only be taken as authorized by the agency. Without established harvest rules, the Supreme Court declared them protected until such time as the agency takes action. For more information, visit the Game Commission Feral Swine section on its website ( # # # End of appendix to Pennsylvania Background Paper on Feral Swine