Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Feral swine have been growing in both number and distribution in New Mexico (NM) for several years. Between 2004 and 2012, the number of NM counties with confirmed feral swine presence grew from 2 to 17. Likewise, concern grew among agencies that manage wildlife and habitat, as well as with ranchers and other property owners. In October 2012, the New Mexico Cooperative Feral Swine Eradication Team consisting of tribal, state, private, and federal partners was formed to pool resources and share ideas regarding how to best manage damage. Team members unanimously agreed that eradication was the preferred approach. Although there were feral swine in roughly half of the NM counties, distribution within those counties was thought to be limited due to lack of water. The team put together an estimate of the financial resources necessary to address eradication with a 6-year time line. In January 2013, the New Mexico Wildlife Services program was awarded $1 million in USDA APHIS emergency funds for a demonstration project associated with eradication of feral swine. Those funds were supplemented with additional funding and in-kind services from partner agencies in NM. In February 2013, 7 employees were hired to begin eradication efforts and 2 helicopter contracts were solicited. Work began in 3 primary areas: the Middle Rio Grande Valley, the Mescalero Apache Reservation, and the Pecos watershed eastward to the Texas state line. Methods used include corral traps, box traps, shooting, snares, and aerial removal. Radio-telemetry trap monitors were used in some areas to allow multiple traps to be checked from a single location. Radio-telemetry was also used in “Judas” hog operations to aid in locating widely scattered sounders.