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Article: States Work to Rid Land of Feral Swine
- Article from:
- AP Online
- Article date:
- April 2, 2007
CopyrightCopyright 2007 Associated Press/AP Online. This material is published under license from the publisher through YellowBrix, Alexandria, Virginia. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to YellowBrix. (Hide copyright information)
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DES MOINES, Iowa - They can weigh up to 300 pounds and are like snuffling, rooting machines.
Wild hogs roaming through at least 39 states are lately alarming wildlife officials by their population growth in northern states, such as Iowa and Michigan.
"They destroy the natural habitat that's out there," said Angi Bruce, who heads the Iowa Department of Natural Resource's southwest wildlife bureau. "It basically looks like a plow has gone through the area."
Feral swine, numbering an estimated 4 million nationwide, can spread disease if they come in contact with domestic pigs. That's a big concern in Iowa, which boasts the top pork production in the nation.
The rooting and wallowing ...