Ethics

We aim to eliminate stress or injury to trapped feral pigs, and to ensure their carcasses are utilized where possible.

We aim to eliminate, or minimize any stress to trapped feral pigs. The traps are designed so it is not possible for a feral pig to become entangled in the trap, and to date, we have not seen any captured feral pig receive an injury of any kind while inside the trap. Reactions to realizing they are trapped vary between individuals, but most spending an hour or two trying to find a way through the net, then giving up. It is not uncommon to arrive at a trap site at dawn to find the trapped feral pigs asleep. Trapped feral pigs are euthanized with a rifle shot to the brain, rendering them unconscious instantly. Traps are checked every 24 hours either in person or by requesting a time stamped trail camera image where possible.

We realize that feral pig hunting is a popular sport in New Zealand, and don't believe that the work that we do effects, or prevents hunters from practicing their sport. This is because we only operate on privately owned land, at the invitation of the land owner. All publicly accessible land, and the vast majority of private land where feral pigs are abundant, is still available for hunters to enjoy their sport, and improve the environment in doing so.

We prefer that the carcasses of feral pigs be utilized where possible, and encourage the land owner to either use the carcasses themselves or gift them to other interested parties. In some cases however, for example, where there has been the use of vertebrate toxins in the area, it may not be safe to do so.