Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources officials are urging people to contact them if they see wild pigs – instead of shooting the invasive species. Terri Brunjes is the department’s wild pig biologist. She said there are several reasons people shouldn’t shoot them.
“They're very intelligent animals. And when shot at, they get out, they leave, they scatter. They become nocturnal, they become more wary of humans, and then become harder to trap.”
Brunjes said people who spot wild pigs should contact their local Fish and Wildlife Resources office, which will send experts to trap them. She said the department wants them gone for several reasons.
“They prey on a lot of wildlife species, amphibians and reptiles, turkeys, they eat turkey nests, quail. They have about 45 known diseases and parasites, some of which they can pass on to domestic pigs.”
And pets and humans, Brunjes said. She also noted state law does allow people to remove wildlife causing property damage.
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