CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Padre Island National Seashore or 'PINS' is home to many animals, but recently spotted wild hogs are overstaying their welcome and causing concern for endangered species.
"So, we have noticed the uptick of the presence of feral swine in the park as well as the antelope the nilgai," PINS Public Information Officer Kelly Taylor said.
Taylor told 3NEWS these invasive species tend to inhabit the same areas that their threatened and endangered species inhabit. She says officials intend to protect the areas the endangered red knots and the piping plovers birds are as well as the Kemps ridley, loggerheads and other turtles.
She explained that some national parks have experienced wild pigs digging up turtle nests.
"We don't want that to happen," she said. "Here at the national seashore, it's pretty easy for a pig to get around and move because its flat and lateral, so at some point these pigs are probably going to make it out to the beach."
PINS Chief of Science and Resources Dr. Mark Ford said he is working with seven other national parks on efforts to suppress the destructive hog issue. According to Ford, they plan on using funds from the Inflation Reduction Act which allotted funds to national parks.
"Our cut of this project is just shy of one million dollars, so that's a nice chunk of money for a park our size, it's actually a lot of money for a park our size," Ford said.
He added that they are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to devise next steps.
"They are going to work with us and it's going to be an active program to slow the hogs down, slow the populations down," Ford said.
PINS is seeking public input, and feedback on how to suppress the hog population. To participate click here. The comment period will end Aug. 4.