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Wild pig management: Whole sounder removal and its impacts on white-tailed deer and eastern wild turkey

My research project at Auburn University focused on an invasive species, wild pigs (Sus scrofa) AKA feral hogs, feral pigs, etc. My project tested whole sounder removal in the context of an agriculturally-dominated landscape. Using an experimental framework, my team and I used a wild pig population on public land (Lowndes Wildlife Management Area) to test the theory that focusing on and removing an entire social group is an effective way to control a wild pig population that is demographically open. We primarily used corral traps to trap and remove wild pigs, but because some pigs are too shy to enter traps, we also employed a few other techniques for removal.  

Additionally, I'm interested in species interaction. As an invasive species, wild pigs are known to displace or even depredate other animals, so my question was can we detect an effect of wild pig sounders on white-tailed deer and eastern wild turkey before and after their removal? Every year, we deployed trail cameras to survey for deer and turkey each February/March and July/August. With these camera images, I have run co-occurrence models to assess if deer and turkey occupancy (or, rather, the probability that they are in the area) are affected by wild pigs.

My publications on each of my chapters are forthcoming and I will be ecstatic when I can finally share them!

Collaring a wild pig in October 2017

In my master's program, I had plenty of opportunities to present my research at professional conferences. In 2016, just when I had started the program, I presented the background leading to my research on whole sounder removal at the International Wild Pig Conference. In 2017, I was able to present a poster at The Wildlife Society conference in Albuquerque and speak to professionals and fellow students about how I might explore possible interactions between pigs, deer, and turkey.

Finally, I presented my first chapter on whole sounder removal at the 2018 International Wild Pig Conference in Oklahoma City.

Presenting my research in progress at TWS

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