Colorado PRV Update

December 17, 2008 — 

Colorado officials report that all of the hogs seized and quarantined on November 17th from a livestock trailer in Mesa County have been euthanized. The 20 exotic sheep also seized have been returned under seal to Texas, which was their state of origin.

As reported in e-Letter (PRV Diagnosed in Feral Swine in Colorado, December 1, 2008), the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado Division of Wildlife seized a livestock trailer illegally transporting sheep and hogs to Little Creek Ranch, a licensed commercial wildlife park located near Collbran, CO in Mesa County. The animals were quarantined at a secure facility in Garfield County and did not pose a threat to commercial livestock. The Little Creek Ranch was also quarantined preventing the introduction or removal of any animals, alive or dead.

Fourteen of the sixteen hogs seized tested positive for pseudorabies (PRV). Subsequent testing of hogs at Little Creek Ranch has also confirmed that some of the animals there are PRV positive as well. As a result of this testing, all hogs on the ranch will be euthanized by the ranch owner. The hog carcasses will be inspected by Colorado officials and then transported under seal to a disposal site. The investigation into the transportation and possession of the animals in the trailer and the inspection of the ranch facility's animal health paperwork and fencing is continuing. The quarantine will remain in effect until officials can verify that no hogs remain and that other deficiencies are corrected.

In Colorado, feral hogs have been confirmed in the southeastern part of the state. Feral hogs have also been killed by landowners and wildlife officers on the Grand Mesa, near Collbran. In response, the Division of Wildlife and the Colorado Department of Agriculture have signed a memorandum of understanding to coordinate efforts to eradicate these feral populations. The Division of Wildlife considers feral hogs to be an invasive pest. State wildlife regulations allow the killing of feral hogs at any time of year and without need of a hunting license.

Source: Colorado Department of Agriculture, Media Release, December 17, 2008