Attempts to cure Australia鈥檚 wild pig problem have failed miserably.
Trapping, shooting or poisoning pigs can leave them injured or dying a slow
death. A more effective and humane solution may be at hand, in the shape
of an explosive bait developed by an Australian biologist and a special
effects expert.
The device is a hollow foam tube stuffed with explosive and cyanide.
Pigs find its coating of corn batter irresistible. When they bite on the
roll, it explodes. If the pig does not die instantly, the cyanide ensures
a quick death.
Hugh Spencer of the Cape Tribulation Tropical Research Station in Queensland
says pigs damage the forest undergrowth as they root for food and erode
the soil with their hard hooves: 鈥楾he forest looks like it鈥檚 been ploughed
after they鈥檝e been through.鈥� They also compete with native animals for food.
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Spencer claims that the device will not harm native animals because
only the 鈥榗olossal鈥� pressure of a pig鈥檚 bite will set it off. Chris Murray,
the special effects specialist, chose explosives that need a pressure of
4 tonnes per square centimetre to trigger them. Only pigs, horses and cattle
bite this hard and domestic animals are unlikely to come into contact with
the bait, which will be dropped by air into remote areas.
