Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge will close this week so that Department of Agriculture officials can try to contain a problem with feral pigs.
Last February, the USDA began its Feral Swine Eradication Plan alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in an effort to eliminate feral swine in the area.
According to their reports, the swine are an invasive species and not only threaten the indigenous wildlife throughout the refuge, but also pose a threat of transmitting diseases to humans.
The News-Herald reports that during last year’s four-day-long effort, aerial gunners flew over the refuge in helicopters and killed roughly 70 feral hogs, at an expense of about $25,000.
Fish and Wildlife officials have said it could be years before the refuge is swine-free. The refuge will be closed starting Tuesday and reopen no later than February 16.
