Feral Hogs: Not Just for the Country Anymore

Most of us have seen the occasional wild animal scurry across our yard or local park. Be it a fox, skunk, armadillo or possum, these animals are known to dig small holes or run across the road, but overall, they don’t pose a major problem to our city. Feral hogs, however, have been exploding in population in recent years, wreaking havoc throughout Texas. In fact, their damage to public and private property across Texas has cost an average of $400 million annually!

These animals, which can be more than 300 lbs. in adult form, travel in packs, breed rapidly and lack a natural predator. They tend to live along waterways, such as the Elm Fork of the Trinity River on the other side of our levee. When storms moisten the ground, these animals take advantage of new places in which to seek food, pushing them beyond the riverbanks and toward IFCD 3 facilities and Valley Ranch properties.

As wild hogs venture further from the river, they dig up yards, destroy landscaping, damage irrigation systems and even cause serious vehicle accidents. They also have impacted parts of the levee, requiring unplanned maintenance by the District.

Experts are working to reduce the population of these hogs by setting traps. In the meantime, stay on the lookout and use caution when driving. For your own safety, do not approach the hogs or try to trap them yourself.

For more information on feral hogs, watch CBS11's story on these pesky animals.

Don’t forget to follow IFCD 3 on Twitter and Facebook!

*Featured image courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife.