Illegal hunting in our national parks is on the increase, and there is mounting concern about the problem.
In the latest high-profile incident, two men who went pig hunting in Kakadu have been fined and ordered to forfeit thousands of dollars worth of hunting equipment.
The ABC reports that Jack O’Connor, 18, and Alexander Chala, 23, admitted to concealing their registration plates with duct tape before driving off-road over the Wildman River floodplains and into paperbark woodlands.
National parks staff initially spotted the men’s ute hidden in bushland and covered with tree branches. O’Connor and Chala hunting were then found on quad bikes with five hunting dogs, knives and GPS tracking devices.
Darwin Magistrates Court heard was told the men had blood-stained clothes and had used the dogs to subdue several feral pigs before killing them with the knives.
The ABC reports that O’Connor and Chala travelled many kilometres in their ute on unauthorised roads, past warning signs about not entering the area, and made their own off-road tracks.
A statement from Kakadu National Park ranger and traditional owner Jonathan Nadji was read out in court.
“I know more and more pig hunters are coming out to Kakadu, almost every weekend and using my country, breaking the laws and disrespecting our culture and traditions,” he said. “I am worried things will only get worse and my country will be taken over by piggers and others who have no right to hunt out in Kakadu.”
O’Connor and Chala pleaded guilty to several offences, and were ordered to pay $3,500 and $2,500 respectively. They are also required to forfeit about $4,000 worth of hunting equipment, including GPS units, tracking dog collars, hunting vests and pig hunting knives.
I used to do lots of wild pig hunting in my younger days but always with permission on privately owned land.
I am of the view that the land holders including National Parks & Indigenous holders are responsible for controlling feral pests on their property. If they did this then the problem of illegal hunters would be much reduced. I do know that at least in Qld National Parks Officers have active programs to reduce wild pig numbers. Not sure how effective that program is though.
totally agree with your comments Graham, the same applies with fire breaks around properties, the worst maintained are council crown land around our way