pigs

The aim of this project is to control feral pig populations on Bonaire, thereby improving conditions for reforestation, reducing impacts on native dry-forest habitat and minimizing damage to fences and property. Activities will focus on raising awareness about the impact of feral pigs, reducing feral pig populations and monitoring project effectiveness. It is hoped that early intervention will ensure the feral pig population and the associated problems do not escalate beyond their current state and become unmanageable.

Long periods of isolation and small island size make island ecosystems highly vulnerable to degradation and invasive species are one of the most significant threats (Cronk, 1997). Due to their role as livestock, introduced species such as sheep, goats, pigs, cows and donkeys are some of the most common invasive species worldwide (Island conservation, 2015). Introduced grazing species consume island vegetation at a rate faster than it is able to regenerate, and islands with invasive grazers are characterised by few, small trees of limited species, and low grass, herb, and shrub cover (Dahlin et al., 2014).