Watch CBS News

Feds Called In To Hunt Down Hundreds Of Hogs Gone Wild In San Diego

SAN DIEGO (CBS) — Federal agents hope to bring home the bacon as a major hunt gets underway on Thursday for an estimated 300 wild pigs on the loose in San Diego County.

KNX 1070's Brian Ping reports the population boom can be traced back to a business plan gone awry.

Podcast

The U.S. Forest Service said the release of a small herd of wild pigs in 2006 intended to attract hunters and boost local businesses on an East County Indian Reservation is likely behind the boom.

After the pigs were released, officials apparently failed to check the impending population boom, with its threat to public health and the fragile ecosystem, and now the feds are being called in.

Their effort will involve traps, gun toting agents, and even shooting from helicopters.

Meanwhile, officials are accepting feedback from the public on the swine control program through June 26.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.