A least one feral pig has been spotted on two farms in Edmonson County.
Feral pigs, known colloquially as wild hogs or Razorbacks, are animals that live in the wild but descended from domesticated pigs. The pigs are aggressive and destroy crops and other vegetation. They also spread disease to livestock and other animals. At least one feral pig was recently captured on wildlife cameras on two farms, approximately eight miles apart.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials say the animals, “… will be blackish or brownish, but almost any color, or combination of colors, can occur. Moreover, body shape may approximate domestic varieties or range to the heavier shouldered, leaner profile of Eurasian wild boar. In Kentucky, adult pigs usually weigh between 130-200 pounds.”
While it’s unclear how many feral pigs are in Edmonson County, officials said that, “In favorable habitat conditions, sows can breed as young as five- to 10-months-old, and are capable of producing litters of 10 or more piglets twice a year.”
According to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, the pigs are capable of overwhelming native wildlife in the battle for food, even displacing deer and turkeys. Additionally, in Kentucky, it is illegal to possess, transport, or release live, wild, feral or Eurasian pigs for any purpose (KRS 150.186). All captured pigs must be killed before being moved from site of capture.
(Headline pic: File photo — Feral pig activity in Edmonson County was first reported by The Edmonson Voice and WNKY.com)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
