It’s wide-spread population, dense population,versatile habits and extensive territory make the wild pig one of the many species that invade and destroy our maize lands and exploit many aspects of agricultural land. They push the mature maize plants over from the roots to get to the fully formed miellie cob germinating at the middle of the maize stalk. Being omnivores nothing much is excluded from the wild pig’s diet and a sounder or a family group of pigs can be a very destructive force.
Wild pigs can weigh up to 60kg of pure lean muscle and this together with their extremely sharp bottom tusks, that can go up to 7 cm, and their protruding pointed teeth make them a very very dangerous animal when hunted and tracked and a real threat to the native wildlife and environment. Although mainly nocturnal they can be active during daylight.
Wild pigs can be found in dense bush along a water course using their environment for shelter and protection. Wild pigs are monogamous and very territorial animals with their territory ranging about 7 km which they patrol every few days. When a sow is due to furrow down she makes a nest of sticks and leaves like a mini haystack. Litters average out at 2 piglets per litter.
While human settlement, causing deforestation amongst other developments, and increasing in various farming enterprises, are a threat to wild pigs, other farming activities e.g. sugar and timber farming have helped to increase and encourage wild pig populations. Another threat to wild pigs is the bush meat trade, which is directly ralated to the economic situation of the population.
Pink Farm Chick 