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Wild pig responses to three intensive culling methods and implications for disease management

Koriakin, Kelly1; Chalkowski, Kayleigh12; Feuka, Abigail1; Leland, Bruce3; VerCauteren, Kurt1; Miller, Ryan4; Pepin, Kim1; Snow, Nathan1

Research facility: United States Department of Agriculture
Published Sep 22, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.k3j9kd5rv

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Abstract

Professional culling is frequently used in efforts to control wildlife diseases, but it can alter the movement behavior of targeted animals, especially in socially-structured wildlife species such as wild pigs (Sus scrofa). These responses could have unintended consequences on the spread of disease when trying to contain new outbreaks. African Swine Fever virus has been spreading throughout many regions of the world, causing uninfected countries (e.g., US and AU) to develop plans for quickly eliminating potential outbreaks. To understand how intensive culling impacts the movements of wild pigs, we used a before-after, control-impact (BACI) study design to compare six movement and contact responses of 122 GPS-collared wild pigs using three different culling methods (aerial operations, trapping, and an experimental toxic bait). Trapping and toxic baiting resulted in substantially greater movement compared with control animals, likely from intensive human disturbance and extensive baiting. We also observed increases in contact duration and number of unique contacts between wild pigs during trapping removals. In contrast, quick but intensive aerial operations stimulated minimal changes in movement, only resulting in reduced movement speed compared to controls. These results demonstrate that intensive culling using bait can induce changes in wild pig behaviors that may unintentionally increase disease transmission risk, potentially undermining management objectives. Conversely, aerial operations quickly reduced the wild pig population with minimal impact on behaviors, highlighting their potential as a primary tool for intensive disease management scenarios. Overall, our results indicate that intensive culling methods have varying, context-dependent effects on target species that should be considered in wildlife disease intervention to minimize unintended consequences.