Adam Quinn, Greyman OPS · 29/03/2025 · Originally shared on LinkedIn [DRAFT — not published]
The 2025 National Feral Pig Action Plan Conference on the Gold Coast was a great chance to catch up with peers and colleagues and share what is working, and what isn’t. Greyman OPS brought DJI Dock 3 systems to show, and I spoke about delivering specialist feral animal management programs in highly restricted areas.
Hidden in plain sight
The photo above was taken over the middle of a 1,000-acre crop. The pig nests in the middle can’t be seen from the sides of the paddock. Around 680 pigs were removed in that program [CONFIRM: “Around 680 pigs” on the crop program: OK to publish?]. It is a good example of why aerial and thermal surveillance matter: from the ground, the damage and the animals are invisible until it is too late.
Boars as disease spreaders
Research reported in March 2025 identified male feral pigs as disease “super spreaders”, because boars cover more ground and interact with more groups of pigs. Our experience supports this. During aerial surveys and control programs we often find boars on higher ground, which gives them access to sows in different areas of lower cropping country, where there is food and shelter.
The thermal drone footage we collect is showing more detail about movement habits. We hope it will shed more light on feral pig behaviour, which in turn will improve management.
Still on the back foot
Landholders, land managers and NRM groups are putting in large efforts, but we are still on the back foot. Pigs are breeding faster than they are being removed. Integrated pig control programs, combining baiting, trapping and aerial shooting, need more financial support and commitment, urgently. It all costs money, and that ultimately shows up in the cost of food.
Let’s work together to head off this very significant threat.
Sources: Personal post, 29/03/2025 (no permalink captured); Personal post, 14/03/2025 (no permalink captured); Personal post, 21/03/2025.