Feral pigs cause problems at Bohle Industrial Estate

Concerns feral pigs left unchecked could cause serious damage or hurt have been raised after high numbers of the pest have been spotted in a Townsville industrial estate.

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CONCERNS feral pigs left unchecked could cause serious damage or hurt have been raised after high numbers of the pest have been spotted in a Townsville industrial estate.

Clynton Hawks. Picture: Evan Morgan

Former Townsville candidate Clynton Hawks has posted a video on Facebook of a family of pigs near Ingham Road.

The North Queensland advocate said the feral pigs were posting a threat to businesses and motorists along Ingham Road near the Bohle Industrial Estate.

In a post on Facebook, Mr Hawks said the feral pigs were causing panic for businesses owners this morning.

“It won’t be long until an accident is caused due to this problem, swift action must be used by local and state government to rectify the problem,” Mr Hawks said.

“These pigs have been running rampant over the Town Common for years and they are now adventuring outside of the common, time to do something about them before it is too late.”

Comments on the video suggest a pack of about 60 pigs have been spotted in the Bohle industrial estate area.

Mr Hawks told the Bulletin a man’s dog had been attacked in the area by a feral pig overnight and the dog has to be put down this morning.

Mr Hawks added that he had seen the damage hitting a feral pig can cause at 100km per hour, let alone someone driving at 60km through suburbia.

A Townsville City Council spokesman said it undertakes feral pig management on its own land and controls adjacent to the Mount St John water treatment plant every six months using a range of methods including shooting, baiting and trapping.
“So far this year, we have received one complaint about feral pigs in the area. However, we have been unable to undertake control activities because of the weather,” the spokesman said.

“This work will be undertaken as soon as possible once the weather clears. Other land holders in the area must also play their part in controlling the feral pig population. All land holders have a responsibility to manage pests on their land under their general biosecurity obligation.”

Mr Hawks posted the video from On Target Feral Animal Control on his Putting North Queensland First Facebook page.

Originally published as Feral pigs cause problems at Bohle Industrial Estate