$300,000 Coming To Louisiana To Protect Wetland From Feral Swine

Feral swine are causing damage to Louisiana's coast, and U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu says there is now more money available to help to combat the problem.

Landrieu says some $300,000 has now been made available to the state to work on reducing the damage to crops and coast wetlands fro the ever-growing feral swine population.

Landrieu says,

"These funds will allow federal and state agencies to work together to address wetland destruction and help better protect landowners and farmers from destructive swine. The hogs aren't just physically destructive; they carry diseases that threaten the safety and health of coastal residents. I know how resourceful Louisianians are, and I'm confident our state agencies will work the USDA to address our hog problems with the help of these funds. Complete eradication of feral swine may never be achieved, but controlling or reducing the population through programs like this one is crucial to Louisiana's wetlands."

Local and state agencies in Louisiana will be able to work with the National Feral Swine Management Program to try to control the swine damage.  They will work on a specific plan for Louisiana.

Louisiana has the country's fifth highest population of feral swine with some estimated half a million in our state.  Federal studies show their population continues to rise due to their rapid rate of reproduction, and if something is done now, the USDA worries that the feral swine population could reach 15 across the country by 2028.

The swine destroy natural vegetation.

Three years ago, Landrieu introduced the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program Act.