Wild pigs, often called feral swine or feral hogs, are descendants of domestic pigs that escaped or were intentionally released. They are not native to North America and are considered an invasive species across the United States. In Georgia, feral swine are widespread, documented in all 159 counties, making encounters possible almost anywhere. Although physical attacks on humans are statistically rare, these animals present a threat due to their size, defensive behavior, and the numerous pathogens they carry. Understanding the nature of this risk is important for anyone living in or exploring Georgia’s diverse landscapes.
Assessing the Direct Threat to Humans and Pets
Feral swine are physically formidable animals, with adults typically weighing between 150 and 250 pounds. They have a dense, muscular build and can move quickly, reaching speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour. The immediate physical danger comes from the sharp tusks—elongated canine teeth that protrude from the male’s mouth and are used to slash and gore during a confrontation.
Aggressive behavior is typically defensive, occurring when the animal feels threatened, is cornered, or is protecting its young. A sow defending her piglets or an injured boar is the most likely scenario to result in a charge. The charge is a direct attempt to neutralize the perceived threat.
Domestic animals, particularly dogs, face a higher risk of direct confrontation. Wild pigs view dogs as potential predators and will readily engage, using their tusks to inflict serious injury. Hunting dogs are frequently wounded, and even leashed pets can trigger a defensive reaction if they approach a sounder, the term for a family group of pigs.
Disease Risks Carried by Feral Swine
Feral swine pose a biological danger as they carry at least 30 different diseases and numerous parasites transmissible to humans, pets, and livestock. Among the most concerning zoonotic diseases is Swine Brucellosis. This bacterial infection is transmitted to humans through contact with infected blood, reproductive fluids, or tissues, usually during field dressing or butchering.
Swine Brucellosis can cause a debilitating, chronic illness in humans characterized by fever, muscle pain, and fatigue. Another risk is Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease shed in the urine of infected animals that contaminates water or soil. Humans contract Leptospirosis by coming into contact with contaminated water through cuts or mucous membranes.
Trichinellosis is a parasitic disease caused by a nematode worm found in the muscle tissue of pigs. It is transmitted to humans who consume raw or undercooked pork from an infected animal. To mitigate the risk of all pathogens, cook wild pig meat to an internal temperature of at least 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Feral swine also carry Pseudorabies, a herpesvirus that is often fatal to dogs, cats, and cattle, though it is not transmissible to humans.
Understanding Their Presence and Behavior in Georgia
The distribution of feral swine across Georgia is due to their adaptability and high reproductive rate, which allows rapid population expansion. They are generalist animals that thrive in a wide array of habitats. They are most consistently found in areas offering dense cover and proximity to water sources, such as swamps, river bottoms, dense woodlands, and agricultural fields near riparian zones.
Feral swine are opportunistic omnivores with a broad diet that includes roots, tubers, invertebrates, small vertebrates, and mast such as acorns. Their feeding involves extensive rooting, where they use their snouts to turn over soil in search of food. This activity often brings them into conflict with humans, causing millions of dollars in damage to crops and turf across Georgia annually.
The pigs are primarily nocturnal, meaning most movement and feeding occurs during dusk, night, and dawn. Encounters are more likely during low-light periods, or indirectly through signs like hoof prints, wallows, or rooting damage. Adult males are often solitary, but females and their young travel in cohesive family groups called sounders.
Safety Protocols for Encounters
Preventative measures are the most effective way to avoid negative interactions with feral swine when hiking. Because the animals have poor eyesight and rely on hearing and smell, making noise while moving through dense vegetation alerts them to your presence and gives them time to move away. Keeping pets on a short leash is important, as a loose dog could easily provoke a defensive attack from a pig or sounder.
If a wild pig is sighted at a distance, keep a safe distance and allow the animal to move on its own. Never attempt to feed or approach a feral pig, especially if you observe piglets, as the sow will be protective. Should an unexpected, close-range encounter occur, remain calm and slowly back away, keeping your eyes on the animal without making direct, challenging eye contact.
Never run, as this triggers the animal’s chase instinct, and a pig can easily outrun a person over short distances. If a pig charges, finding a secure vertical obstacle is the best defense. Feral swine cannot climb, so quickly getting up a large boulder, a strong fence, or a tree can put you out of immediate danger. Securing food waste and garbage around homes and campsites also prevents pigs from associating human areas with easy meals.