Wild pigs ( Sus scrofa), also known as feral hogs, feral swine, or wild boar, are recognized as one of the most widespread and destructive invasive species in the world 10, 11, 12. In the U.S., non-native species are considered the primary cause of decline in 42% of imperiled species via habitat alteration, competitive displacement, predation, spread of pathogens, and hybridization 9. $1.4 billion on recovery efforts for 1,600 currently listed species 6.Īlien invasive species constitute a major environmental stressor 7, 8 and are considered to be a driving factor in the decline of 3,862 species (16.6%) globally listed as extinct or imperiled 2. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and other agencies spent over U.S. The ESA provides for designation of critical habitat, species management programs, and penalties for knowingly harming or trafficking imperiled species. In the United States (U.S.), the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 aims to protect threatened and endangered (hereafter ‘imperiled’) species, along with the ecosystems on which they depend. $76.1 billion 5, of which only 12% is currently funded. The total annual cost of meeting these targets is estimated at U.S. These declines are largely driven by human activities, including destruction or alteration of habitat, overharvest, and the spread of harmful non-native species 3.Ī strategic plan adopted by parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) set global targets for preventing extinction of known imperiled species (Target 12) and expanding protection and effective management of sites with biodiversity conservation significance (Target 11) 4. More than 25% of known species remaining in the wild are classified as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable 2. The Earth is experiencing a sixth mass extinction event, with current rates of species loss far exceeding the background extinction rate 1.