Land Between the Lakes, Ky./Tenn. – Feb. 10, 2022 -The USDA Forest Service, in
partnership with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), recently began the
third year of using aerial operations as an additional tool in their strategy to assist in
eradicating feral swine in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL). To date, the
combined efforts of aerial removal operations and trapping have been successful at reducing
the number of feral swine at LBL.
“In 2020, the first year of aerial operations at LBL, numerous sounders of feral swine were
observed. Since then, feral swine and damage observations have consistently decreased
resulting in multiple flights with few or no feral swine or associated damages observed. While
these observations are anecdotal, they suggest the ongoing efforts are reducing the number of
feral swine and associated damages at LBL,” said a wildlife biologist and aerial crew member
with APHIS.
During recent operations, crews were able to utilize trapping to remove a sounder, or herd, of
feral swine recently seen along Highway 68/80. In total, wildlife specialists removed 176 feral
swine during the Jan. 24-28 operations. Operations were conducted by trained and experienced
APHIS staff using the most up-to-date equipment. Staff on the ground were also located near
closed areas and ensured visitor and staff safety during the flight operations.
The total operations project area encompassed approximately 78,000 acres across the
southern and central areas of LBL.
“Feral swine threaten the values that make Land Between the Lakes such a special place,” said
John Westbrook, environmental stewardship manager at LBL. “Feral swine are destructive to
native plants and animals and threaten heritage sites across the landscape. They do not belong
here, and we are using the tools available to us to eradicate these animals.”
The USDA Forest Service and APHIS will continue working together to eradicate feral swine
within the recreation area and protecting the natural resources at LBL.
“These eradication efforts will remain a priority for us here at Land Between the Lakes. We
know it is a concern for our visitors and neighbors,” said Leisa Cook, area supervisor at LBL.
“We look to increase our capabilities with APHIS as we continue a cooperative strategy to
effectively eradicate the feral swine population at Land Between the Lakes.”
For more information on feral swine eradication efforts or to report hog sightings at LBL, visit
official LBL and APHIS websites: www.landbetweenthelakes.us/feral-hogs and
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Forest Service News Release
Contact: Scott Raymond
Phone: 404-632-1893
Email: scott.raymond@usda.gov
www.landbetweenthelakes.us
Feral hog eradication off to successful start in
2022
Land Between the Lakes, Ky./Tenn. – Feb. 10, 2022 -The USDA Forest Service
https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022_0210_FeralHogs2022.pdf
