Heather Sanders and his colleagues analyze wild turkeys' predicament as the prey to the invasive wild pigs in their article: Invasive Wild Pigs as Primary Nest Predators for Wild Turkeys (2020). They hypothesized that wild turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo ) are on the trend of population decline due to wild pigs' hunting habits ( Sus scrofa ) in North America, South Central Texas. Their study followed the quantitative research design. The study used faux turkey nests with eggs and simulated hens and monitored the depredation within the periods of early nesting, peak, and late nesting season. Their study occurred between March and June 2016 and involved a nest density of 12.5-25 nests per square kilometers in the moderate range and up to 25-50 nests per square kilometer in the higher range. They set a lower probability (0.3) for the depredation by wild pigs and controlled other potential nest predators such as gray fox, raccoons, and coyote.
The study was based on the fact that wild pigs are predators of ground-nesting birds and reptiles. The scientific supposition was that nesting failure results in a lower bird population, which threatens the survival of bird species which nest on the ground. Furthermore, the nests of wild turkeys have been victims of overexploitation since the nineteenth century, and their population is declining. Recovery and conservation measures have been employed since 2003, and the success has been noted. However, these birds are still at high risk from predators like coyotes and wild pigs who plunder their nests for food.
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The postulation was that if wildlife management human resources do not employ control mechanisms, then there is a threat of massive reduction in numbers of these birds. Thus, there is a need to understand the hunters who are dedicated to these efforts and establish a control mechanism for this particular species. After identifying the wild pig as a popular pillager, research was conducted to confirm their general trends, how they are affected by seasonal trends, and the differences in hunting behavior between genders of these animals.
The survey was conducted in an area with confirmed existence of both animals, South Central Texas, Bexar County, U.S.A. (Latitude 29.622 N, Longitude 98.572 W). The experimentation was begun by the capturing of wild pigs and tagging them with earmarks and GPS devices. A total of 17 and 18 male and female pigs were captured, immobilized, and tagged for monitoring. They were then released and given time to redistribute. During the study, four collars detached, one pig was killed by a local farmer, and one collar failed. Monitoring and calculations occurred according to their specific relevance.
The study concluded that female wild pigs were more prone to depredate wild turkeys' nests at all nesting periods and all in nesting densities. On the other hand, the male wild pigs showed predation tendencies in areas with higher nest densities, and their depredation rates were higher during the peak nesting seasons. The inference made was that the wild turkeys' survival was dependent on the effective distribution of their nests within a certain expanse. However, since the nest distribution cannot be controlled, the management should employ efforts to relocate wild pigs to reduce the probabilities of nest failures. Consequently, the population of wild turkeys will be sustained. The study redefined previous reports that stated that wild pigs were minor predators of nests compared to other native species.
The limitations of the study were that a limited sample was used in the study. The study also used simulated nests with hens, and therefore, the conclusion did not account for the hen as potential prey. The possibility of eggs rotting and attracting wild pigs was also not taken into consideration.
References
Sanders, H., Hewitt, D., Perotto-Baldivieso, H., VerCauteren, K., & Snow, N. (2020). Invasive Wild Pigs as Primary Nest Predators for Wild Turkeys. Scientific Reports , 10 (1). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59543-w
