Kentucky Has One of the Worst Feral Pig Problems in the Nation
I'll have to admit that I did not see this coming. Yes, Kentucky has more than its fair share of invasive species issues--from Asian carp to purple loosestrife and everything in between.
But if you put all of the species of plants and animals that shouldn't be here on a scale of most to least concerning, I might think the nuisance we've been hearing about a lot this week could be the biggest. I mean, I have ZERO interest in encountering a wild pig. I bet you feel the same way.
The Kentucky Feral Pig Problem
I think "feral pigs" and I immediately think of Louisiana or any state in the Deep South where they do run rampant and are a gigantic headache. But in Kentucky, the problem seems to be getting worse. This is from about 21 months ago:
And THIS is from November 28th, 2023 (you'll notice we are not alone):
Why Feral Pigs are a Huge Problem for Kentucky and Anyone Else, Really
As you heard, of the states that are now dealing with invasive feral swine, Kentucky ranks in the top 15, and that's a calamity on a number of levels says the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
Feral swine directly impact native game species by preying on the nests, eggs, and young of ground-nesting birds and the young of larger animals such as deer. They compete with native wildlife for important food sources, displace other animals through aggression and competition, and can spread diseases and parasites.
The USDA goes on to warn that they can even create their own ecosystems to their liking. A wild animal like a feral hog with that much power? Alarming, to say the least.
Canadian Super Pigs
And don't look now, but Canada is also enduring a nasty pig problem that's beginning to spread in the United States. I'm not sure if they'll make it to the Commonwealth, but if so, they could give our regular-sized feral pigs a run for their money. You see, these are SUPER pigs. No red cape, no "S" on their chests...just a SUPER problem.
They're fast and they're mean. And, as I've detailed, they are causing enormous problems that seem to be getting worse. The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Services has its work cut out.
Me? Suddenly, I'm craving bacon.
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