Invasive Wild Pigs as Primary Nest Predators for Wild Turkeys

Area of Science:

• Wildlife Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Invasive Species Management

Background:

• Nest depredation significantly impacts wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) recruitment, a critical factor for this recovering game species.
• Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are expanding their range across North America, overlapping with wild turkey habitats.
• Understanding the extent of wild pig nest depredation is crucial for effective wild turkey conservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the magnitude of nest depredation on simulated wild turkey nests by invasive wild pigs.
• To assess how depredation rates vary with nesting season period (early, peak, late) and nest density (moderate, high).
• To compare wild pig depredation rates with those of native predators.

Main Methods:

• Simulated wild turkey nests were deployed across the home ranges of 20 GPS-collared wild pigs in south-central Texas.
• Depredation was evaluated across three nesting periods and two nest densities (12.5–25 nests/km² and 25–50 nests/km²).
• Data were collected from March to June 2016.

Main Results:

• The overall estimated probability of nest depredation by wild pigs was 0.3, comparable to native predators like foxes, raccoons, and coyotes.
• Female wild pigs showed consistent depredation rates irrespective of nesting period or nest density.
• Male wild pigs demonstrated increased depredation rates in areas with higher simulated nest densities.

Conclusions:

• Wild pigs pose a significant threat to wild turkey nest success, with depredation rates similar to native predators.
• Management strategies focusing on wild pig removal are recommended to mitigate nest failure and enhance wild turkey populations, particularly in areas with low recruitment.
• Conservation efforts should consider the impact of invasive species on vulnerable game bird populations.