Most Feral Hogs Removed from Harlan County Disease-Free

[Bumpus]

NGPC news release, 3/6/08:

LINCOLN, Neb. – Test results on 69 feral hogs removed from Harlan County Reservoir Feb. 23 show the animals were free of pseudorabies, swine brucellosis, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), according to Sam Wilson, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s furbearer program manager. One hog tested positive for swine influenza.

Commission biologists and conservation officers with the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a helicopter, helicopter pilot, and professional gunner from Kansas Wildlife Services, conducted the hog removal operation.

In addition to the threat of disease, feral hogs cause damage to crops and the ecosystem across the country, to the tune of $800 million annually. Wilson said a feral hog killed near Genoa in January of 2007 tested positive for pseudorabies and is an example of the threat feral hogs pose to the economy in Nebraska.

“We did confirm PRRS in tests we ran on pigs killed last year in Harlan County,” Wilson said.
Wilson added, “We are extremely interested in help from the public pertaining to future observations of feral pigs in the area. If anyone sees wild or feral pigs please call the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission immediately at (402) 471- 5174.”