Texas A&M AgriLife researchers have developed the first integrated framework to help the National Park Service manage feral hog populations across parklands nationwide.
Feral hogs, descendants of domesticated pigs that were brought to North America by European settlers, are among the most destructive invasive species in the United States. In national parks, they are responsible for destroying sensitive ecosystems, outcompeting native fauna, spreading disease, disturbing landmarks, and negatively affecting visitor experiences.
An increase in hog populations in Big Thicket National Preserve, for example, led the Park Service to issue the Feral Hog Management Plan and Environmental Assessment in November 2013…