Feral swine found at El Paso County farm tested positive for pseudorabies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Bill Vogrin
Southeast Region Public Information Officer
719-466-3927 / [email protected]

Jan. 3, 2022

Feral swine found at El Paso County later farm test positive for pseudorabies

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Acting on tips from the public, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers confiscated feral swine from a farm in El Paso County that later tested positive for pseudorabies, a fatal disease that can be spread to other livestock and domestic animals.

The discovery is prompting CPW and the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) to remind the public that it is illegal to bring invasive species such as feral swine into Colorado.

“This is exactly why we have worked so hard to eliminate free-roaming feral swine from Colorado,” said Travis Black, CPW’'s Regional Manager for the Northwest Region based in Grand Junction and an expert on feral pigs. “Roaming wild, feral swine destroy agricultural crops, wildlife habitat and out-compete native species for food.

“And feral swine kept on farms pose a huge risk to other animals by spreading diseases such as pseudorabies, as in this case.”

On Sept. 3, a team of CPW officers led by Black, who was then Deputy Regional Manager for the Southeast Region based in Colorado Springs, and Area Wildlife Manager Cody Wigner descended on a small farm east of Colorado Springs after reports the homeowner was raising feral swine illegally imported from Texas.

The CPW team found three of the wild pigs in a small barn and euthanized them. Blood samples were sent to a lab for analysis. Test results showed the presence of pseudorabies, a contagious herpes virus that causes reproductive problems including abortion and stillbirths. The disease also causes respiratory problems and occasional deaths in breeding and finishing hogs. Besides swine, it can spread to cattle, dogs, cats, sheep and goats.

The homeowner cooperated with the CPW investigation and was cited for illegally transporting and possessing the prohibited species. Each is a misdemeanor charge and carries a fine and surcharge amount of $137 per animal.

CPW is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to trace the pigs back to their original herd in Texas to stop further spread of infected swine.

For 15 years, Colorado has worked to eliminate feral swine, working with a partnership that includes CDA as well as federal agencies including APHIS and the U.S. Forest Service.

The partnership formed in the early 2000s as a task force to manage invasive feral swine, which are incredibly hardy animals and can survive, even thrive, in almost any habitat. In addition, high reproductive rates allow the swine to establish new populations very effectively. 

The wild pigs are targeted because they root up crops and pastures causing billions in damage nationwide each year. Feral swine also spread disease to livestock, wildlife and humans. Ground-nesting birds and other wildlife are easy prey for feral swine. And the swine put native wildlife at risk by competing for resources and destroying habitats and ecosystems.

The Colorado feral swine task force continues to monitor for reintroductions to ensure the state remains free of this invasive species and the damage it can inflict. 

How to help keep Colorado free of feral swine:

• Spread the word that in Colorado it’s illegal to possess, transport or release feral swine, wild swine species or hybrids.

• Report sightings of feral swine or transportation activities to USDA Wildlife Services at 1-866-4- USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297) or Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 303-297-1192.

For more information about the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program, visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamage/operational-activities/feral-swine