Forest Service targets feral hogs

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - Shawnee National Forest personnel will again work to eradicate a population of feral swine running loose a portion of the forest.

On Wednesday, SNF Public Affairs Officer Richy Rosado sent a closure order from the Forest Service for Feb. 7-Feb 9 closing the Lusk Creek Wilderness area and surrounding properties.

The Lusk Creek Wilderness area, which is east of Eddyville, and surrounding areas will be closed during that time.

The Forest Service is working in cooperation with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection - Wildlife Services to remove the hogs from the area.

Feral swine are a nonnative invasive species recently documented living and breeding within

and around the Lusk Creek Wilderness area. It is believed that the population is relatively

small due to early detection, according to the Forest Service. Feral swine are an invasive species that compete with wildlife for food resources and prey on turkey and quail nests, reptiles, amphibians, and other wildlife including threatened and endangered species.

They are a serious threat to forest and wildlife resources in Illinois through competition with native wildlife for food and cover, destruction of habitat, and destruction of sensitive natural areas. Infected feral swine can transmit diseases and parasites to humans, wildlife, and domestic livestock (horses and cattle).

Forest Closure Order #09-08-21-01 will prohibit any and all public access to the closure area during the dates listed. The public may notice an increased presence of USDA personnel in the project area, according to Rosado.

For more information concerning feral swine impacts or to report feral swine activity please visit www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/ or call APHIS Wildlife Services at toll free (866) 4USDA-WS (866-487-3297).

To learn more about this temporary Forest Closure Order, please contact Rosado at the Shawnee NF Headquarters Office (618) 253-7114.