The University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health has been tracking feral hog sightings with their Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS).
And now, researchers have calculated the total number of feral hog sightings reported in each state. These are the key takeaways from the report for North Carolina:
• Feral hogs were spotted in 85% of North Carolina counties.
• Wild hogs are one of the most destructive invasive animal species in the U.S., capable of reaching five feet in length and weighing as much as 400 pounds.
• According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, hogs cause approximately $2.5 billion in agricultural damages each year.
• The animal’s range has expanded more westward and northward over time, however. States like California, Hawaii, and Michigan now have fairly large feral hog populations as well.
Overall, North Carolina has the 7th worst feral hog problem in the country. Here is a complete summary of the data for North Carolina:
• Number of feral hog reports: 655
• Percentage of counties with feral hogs: 85.0%
• Number of counties with feral hogs: 85