Turning a Problem Into a Solution: Manatee County’s Wild Hog Program

In Manatee County, Florida, a creative new effort is underway to tackle a longstanding issue: the growing population of wild hogs that disrupt natural habitats, damage property, and threaten local ecosystems. These non-native animals have been found in backyards, parks, and preserves across the region, uprooting vegetation, eating native bird eggs, and creating costly problems for landowners. FOX 13 Tampa Bay+1

To address this, county officials launched a wild hog hunting and trapping program that’s already seen around 200 hogs captured since its inception. FOX 13 Tampa Bay Rangers strategically place baited traps and monitor them around the clock with cameras and alerts, allowing crews to capture entire groups of hogs at once. Your Observer

But the program doesn’t stop at removal. The captured hogs are transferred to a local partner, Shogun Farms in Hillsborough County, where they are humanely raised and turned into artisanal pork products like bacon, ham, and other specialty cuts. These products have even found their way onto menus at area restaurants, transforming a challenging invasive species into a locally celebrated protein source. FOX 13 Tampa Bay

According to county rangers and participating farmers, this initiative delivers a dual benefit — it helps protect Manatee County’s environment while also supporting local food culture and sustainability. FOX 13 Tampa Bay

By taking an inventive approach to wildlife management, Manatee County is showing how communities can turn environmental challenges into opportunities that benefit both people and the land they love.