Overview of wild pig damage in California

Abstract

Pigs (Sus scrofa) were first introduced to California in 1769, and European wild boars were imported to Monterey County in 1925. Descendants of the domestic swine and European wild boars have bred and formed populations of wild pigs. By the mid-1960s 15 counties had populations of wild pigs. Today 45 of California’s 58 (78%) counties have reported having populations of pigs. Wild pigs can cause significant damage to farm and rangelands, livestock, natural resources, environmentally sensitive habitats, and property. There are limited estimates of damage caused by wild pigs in California. A survey was sent to all County Agricultural Commissioners in California to document the extent and amount of damage occurring in 1996 and what control measures were taken to reduce the damage. Forty (40) counties responded to the survey and reported $1,731,920 worth of damage caused by wild pigs.