Mexico to cull 50,000 wild boars from U.S. invasion
Officials have unveiled plans to slaughter some 50,000 wild boars that have crossed the border from the U.S. and now threaten agriculture in Mexico.
By Agence France-PresseSun, Nov 20 2011 at 4:08 PM EST
BOARS: The animals of European origin, which were imported to Texas as pets and then reproduced in the wild, have caused serious damage to Mexico’s flora and fauna. (Photo: Smithsonian Wild/flickr)
Mexican officials have unveiled plans to slaughter some 50,000 wild boars that have crossed the border from the United States and now threaten agriculture in Mexico.
The Ministry of Environment in Chihauha state said some 3,700 acres of farmland in the border town of Ojinaga have been affected by the large number of feral pigs that have come from Presidio County, Texas.
"We must get rid of these European wild boars because they sleep overnight on US soil during the day and cross over to the Mexican side to feed," Ignacio Legarreta, a state official, told local media.
The boars of European origin, which were imported to Texas as pets and then replicated in the wild, have caused serious damage to the flora and fauna of the area, officials said.
"They have reproduced to reach more than 50,000 animals that threaten the area," said Legarreta.
The authorities intend to use cages with food inside to trap the animals.
Copyright 2011 AFP Global Edition
