SHREVEPORT, La. — Caddo Parish officials are escalating their battle against an invasive feral hog population that continues to threaten local agriculture and public safety, introducing advanced trapping technology to curb the species’ rapid spread.
The initiative comes as Louisiana grapples with an estimated 700,000 feral hogs across all 64 parishes. The animals cause millions of dollars in annual damage by destroying crops and tearing up landscapes.
To move beyond traditional, less effective methods, Caddo Parish Animal Services has transitioned to the Game Changer Pro Trap. Unlike older models that might only catch a few stray animals, this system is designed to capture an entire sounder — the term for a social group of hogs — in a single event.
The precision trapping process follows a multi-step protocol:
- Baiting: Staff establish a feeding site to attract a specific group.
- Surveillance: Hogs are monitored and “color-marked” via camera to track their return patterns.
- Deployment: Once the sounder is comfortable at the site, the high-tech trap is installed alongside GPS and remote-trigger cameras.
- Capture: Officials trigger the trap only when the entire identified group is within the enclosure, preventing “trap-shy” survivors from breeding further.
While the trapping program has seen early success, officials are warning residents to remain vigilant. Feral hogs are known for their aggressive behavior and can pose a direct physical threat to humans and pets.
Parish authorities urge citizens not to approach the animals. Instead, residents should report sightings to Caddo Parish Animal Services at 318-226-6624.
