Sus scrofa

Feral pig

Family: Suidae

Origin: Europe

A hairy feral pig.
Feral pigs are omnivores. They can be black or brown in colour.
Photo credit: Landcare Research

Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status

  • Waiheke — Eradication
  • Parkland with Significant Ecological Areas — Site-led (on-park only)
  • Whole region — Sustained control
  • Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest
  • Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area pest — Site-led

View more about the RPMP statuses

General description

Large, stoutly built black or brown mammal, can weigh over 300 kgs. Has short legs and a large head with well-developed canine teeth.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment, you must not distribute or release any feral pig within the Auckland region.

Habitats

Forest, scrub, grasslands, pasture, wetlands.

Impact on environment

Preys on, competes with and disturbs native species, overturns large areas of soil, alters nutrient cycles, facilitates spread of pest plants and plant diseases. Can be a vector for bovine TB, can spread kauri dieback disease.

Control

Management

Auckland Council undertakes feral pig control throughout the region to protect Te Wao Nui a Tiriwa/Waitākere, Kohukohunui/Hunua and other ecologically valuable parkland, protect the values of biodiversity focus areas, and reduce the spread of kauri dieback disease.

Please refer to the Pest animal control guidelines for information on how to control feral pigs, or contact Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.