Why they're a BIG PROBLEM
**Feral pigs are one of Australia’s most destructive and widespread invasive pests.**
Descended from domestic pigs that escaped or were released after European settlement, they now occupy roughly 45% of the Australian mainland. Population estimates range from around 13–24 million animals, with recent assessments suggesting numbers may be even higher following successive wet seasons. They thrive particularly in wetlands, floodplains, river systems and agricultural landscapes across Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory, but are present in every state and territory.
Their impact is severe and multi-layered:
- **Agricultural damage** — Feral pigs root up and trample crops (including sugarcane, grains, horticultural produce and pasture), prey on newborn lambs and other livestock, foul water sources, and damage fencing and infrastructure. National economic costs to agriculture are conservatively estimated in the order of $100–156 million per year, with much higher localised losses in heavily affected regions.
- **Environmental destruction** — Their powerful rooting behaviour churns soil, destroys native vegetation, degrades wetlands and waterholes, increases erosion, and spreads weeds and plant pathogens such as *Phytophthora*. They also prey on a wide range of native animals and their eggs (including turtles, ground-nesting birds, frogs, reptiles and small mammals). Predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by feral pigs is listed as a Key Threatening Process under national environmental law.
- **Disease risk** — Feral pigs carry and can transmit numerous diseases and parasites of concern to livestock, wildlife and humans (including leptospirosis and brucellosis). They are also recognised as a high-priority potential host for exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever — an outbreak of either could have catastrophic consequences for Australia’s livestock industries and international trade.
Compounding the problem is their extraordinary reproductive capacity. Sows can breed from as young as six months of age and produce two litters of four to ten piglets each year. Under favourable conditions, populations can increase by 80% or more annually, allowing them to recover rapidly from control efforts or drought.
In short, feral pigs function as “ecological bulldozers.” They damage productive land, threaten biodiversity, compromise water quality and create ongoing biosecurity risks. Effective, coordinated management is essential to limit their spread and reduce the serious economic, environmental and social costs they impose across rural and regional Australia.
Our approach to managing Feral Pigs
We identify the entry points feral pigs use to access a property.
Non-toxic bait is then distributed and the animals
are trained to feed at specific intervals.
Using a combination of drone reconnaissance, remote camera monitors, and our ultra-quiet electric ATV, we silently locate and destroy feral pigs with our noise-suppressed rifles.
Foxes prey on lambs, poultry, and native wildlife. Their impact on biodiversity and primary production is significant, especially during lambing season.
Stealth and precision are key. We use night vision optics to eliminate foxes without disturbing your livestock or neighbours. No spotlights, no disruption — just results.
Wild dogs can cause devastating losses to sheep and cattle, and often attack in packs. They also pose a threat to working dogs and pets.
We employ motion-activated cameras and targeted patrols to track movements. Once located, we respond with the right calibre firearm for a clean, humane solution.
Rabbits breed rapidly, degrade pasture, cause erosion, and compete with livestock for feed. Burrowing damages fences, machinery, and water infrastructure.
We use air rifles equipped with night vision and silencers to control rabbit populations in sensitive areas, including around infrastructure and near stockyards.
Deer trample crops, damage fences, and compete with native species. They’re increasingly seen in fringe and agricultural zones where they can cause costly damage.
We conduct surveillance to monitor movement corridors and use high-powered optics and long-range precision rifles to carry out safe, targeted control.
Feral goats overgraze vegetation, cause erosion, and damage fragile ecosystems. They also compete directly with livestock for food and water.
We assess the terrain and herd structure before deploying the right tools for the job. Every operation is customised for humane and effective herd reduction.
Feral cats are one of the most destructive predators of native wildlife in Australia. They decimate bird, lizard, and small mammal populations.
Discreet and focused, we use advanced thermal imaging and silent firearms to eliminate cats without disturbing domestic pets or local fauna.
Rodents, such as rats and mice infestations lead to grain loss, infrastructure damage, and contamination of stored feed and food. In plague conditions, they can cost farms thousands.
We offer property-wide surveillance to detect infestations early and work with landowners to develop integrated, poison-free control plans where possible.
In large numbers, kangaroos overgraze pastures, damage fences, and contribute to land degradation. In drought conditions, competition with stock becomes critical.
All kangaroo control is conducted under strict compliance with local regulations and landholder permits. We prioritise humane and respectful practices in every case.
If you’ve seen tracks, damage, or droppings but aren’t sure what pest is to blame, we can help. Our Feral Surveillance service installs trail cameras to uncover patterns and identify the invaders — before control begins.
