Researchers at LSU have developed a patent-pending bait that could become a big weapon in the state’s war on wild hogs. LSU animal scientist and researcher Glenn Gentry says they have developed an effective poison bait; made of fish, potatoes and sodium nitrite; a chief ingredient in bacon. He says sodium nitrite impedes the body’s ability to send oxygen to the organs…:
“…and with the sodium nitrite, the pigs died typically in 2 & ½ to 3 hours after they get a lethal dose.”
Wild pigs cause an estimated $75-million in annual crop losses and crop damage in Louisiana. Plus their presence creates an E. coli problem. Gentry says the bait makes them fall asleep, then die…and there is no risk to humans or other animals from eating their remains. He says the bait is a part of a technological delivery system, which uses cellular communications and game camera technology to target only wild pigs…:
“You receive a picture – similar as you would with a game camera – and if pigs are present, you can release the baits…and we’ve done pen trials where the pigs prefer our bait to whole shell corn.”
Gentry says federally-monitored testing and eventual permitting for public use is still a few years away, but farmers are excited at the prospect of taking control of the wild hog population. Some sportsmen are concerned that the bait will virtually eradicate the animals, which they still enjoy hunting. Gentry says hog hunters have nothing to worry about…:
“We have been poisoning rats for over 50 years, but we still have rats, so eradication of pigs is not going to happen. We’re just going to have to learn how to manage their numbers.”
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