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Conservancy sponsors talks about wild pigs

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Dr. Reginald “Reg” Barrett, professor of Wild Life Management at University of California Berkeley, will present a talk on wild pigs and their management in California on Sunday, Aug. 1, at 5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Iron Mountain Conservancy—Ramona, the free presentation will be in the Goose Valley U.S. Forest Service Station at 1634 Black Canyon Road.

About three years ago, wild pigs were illegally introduced into San Diego County, where they are causing irreparable damage to the Cleveland National Forest. Wild pigs reproduce quickly, so there are now hundreds of them in San Diego County as the statewide population approaches a million.

Wild pigs are a threat to our health and safety, said Janine Moniot with the Iron Mountain Conservancy in Ramona. They spread disease, including E. coli that caused the 2006 California spinach recall, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Nationwide they cause thousands of car accidents per year. Last Christmas Eve, a driver struck two wild pigs on Poway Road.and Highway 67. They also do millions of dollars in property damage per year to public and private lands, buildings and infrastructure.

Everyone is broke—government, non-government organizations and private property owners—and action needs to be taken, said Moniot. Area residents are invited to help develop community-wide response and awareness.

In three years, the range of wild pigs in San Diego County has expanded from one location near El Capitan Reservoir to include the area from Palomar Mountain to Descanso, and from Julian to Lakeside and Poway, Moniot reports.

Barrett is referred to as The Gray Beard of wild pigs by Dr. John Mayer of the Discovery Channel’s feature, “The Pig Bomb.” He has a pragmatic understanding of wild pigs, is a well-known professor and an acclaimed biologist. His expertise is considered an invaluable resource for the community.

Barrett will also give a presentation in the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center, 18448 W. Bernardo Drive, on Monday, Aug. 2, at 5:45 p.m. and in the La Jolla Library on 7555 Draper Ave. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Moniot at 760-484-0820.

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