By Agnes M. Abrau
Horizon news staff

The series of feral pigs eradication projects conducted in the past weeks have been successful, said National Invasive Species Coordinator Dr. Joel Miles.
In three separate operations, three feral pigs were eradicated in Babeldaob. According to Miles, the feral pigs have been destroying taro patches and tapioca farms in Ngaremlengui, Ngaraard and Ngarchelong.
A male feral pig, weighing more than 150 pounds was found in Yamato, Ngaremlengui on Dec. 11 where the Division of Fish and Wildlife Protection operatives tracked, located and eradicated the pig. On Dec. 16, DFWP officers and volunteers responded to a call in Choll, Ngaraard where they entered the woods and eradicated over 400-pound female. The third operation was done on Dec. 19 where the same DFWP team killed a 350-pound feral pig in Ollei, Ngarchelong.
DFWP responded to calls and complaints of some residents in Babeldaob complained that feral pigs have been destroying their taro patches and tapioca farms and asked DFWP to conduct eradication operations in the said areas.
In an email, Miles said operatives of DFWP led by Lt. Tony Adelbai under DFWP Chief Kammen Chin held a series of feral pig eradication projects that started on Nov. 3 to 5 at Ngerchul Island and on Nov. 15 and 16.
Both operations were led by Lt. Tony Adelbai and were conducted by eight DFWP officers, A DFWP conservation analyst, and a DFWP volunteer.
Miles said that two undisturbed turtle nests were found on Ngerchur Island thus DFWP officers were concerned that perhaps some of the feral pigs have moved to Ngerkeklau Island, an island right next to Ngerchur. But after the second operation was conducted, "no evidence of feral pigs was found and the operatives decided that the Ngerchur operations will resume after about six months."