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The Wild Pigs That Ate Fresno
Fresno County farmers and ranchers are accustomed to dealing with tiny insects and plant diseases. But their latest pest is a big one, weighing in at more than 100 pounds. And it has a voracious appetite.Wild pigs are ranging over more of Fresno County and causing more damage. "It used to be just rangeland that they would root up or livestock ponds that they would wallow in and destroy," said Fred Rinder, Fresno County Department of Agriculture's wildlife and weed management supervisor. "But not any more." These days, the pigs are venturing from the foothills in eastern and western Fresno County to devour oranges, almonds, grapes and vegetables on Valley farms. Their rooting can destroy berms and rip through irrigation lines. While many of the pigs average about 100 pounds, some have grown much larger. "A big 300-pound pig will rub up against an almond tree and put a 30-degree lean on that tree," Rinder said. At Harris Farms River Ranch near Sanger, as many as 200 pigs have been caught and killed over the last several years. "We are one of the first green things they see when they come out of the foothills," said Rod Radtke, ranch manager at Harris Farms. "And they have really taken advantage out here." Radtke said the pigs have ripped through lawns and flower beds, yanked low-hanging oranges off trees, gobbled grape bunches and trampled sprinkler equipment. The pigs have also found their way into the feeders and water troughs used for the farm's thoroughbred racehorses. "We have knocked them back quite a bit, but we know they are not gone completely," Radtke said. Only Baconman can save them now! Posted by: Anonymoose 2009-08-25 |
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