NPSpecies

Polynesian introduction

Park Species Detail: he NPS reference states that there is considerable evidence that a feral pig problem exists in certain parts of the national park. The rooting activities of this animal are damaging both the native forest and subsistence agricultural plots within the national park (p. 51). Whistler states that " well-traveled pig trails were seen on some of the ridges. In the past the feral population was kept in check by local hunters, but with increasing urbanization and rising material culture, pig hunting has decreased to practically nothing. (p.41)." Goldin (2002) mentions in her field guide that in 1998 National Park Service staff from the National Park of American Samoa, with the help of staff from Haleakala National Park (Maui, Hawaii), began a feral pig eradication program on Tutuila. The goal of this ongoing effort is the eradication of feral pigs on park lands. Monello (2004) describes monitoring and snaring of pigs on Tutuila and Ta'u units. On Tutuila, the last signs of fresh activity were observed in September 1998, and thus pig removal from this NPSA unit appeared to be successful. Activity transects on Ta'u began to be checked in January 1997 and are still being measured, and snaring efforts are still catching pigs on the Fogausolali'i transect, located above the quarry that was established to expand the Ta'u Airport., Park Species Data Source: NATUREBIB-557586, National Park Service; NATUREBIB-8631, Whistler 1994; NATUREBIB-585031, Goldin 2002; NATUREBIB-585275, Monello 2004.