In 1802, a French explorer released pigs on Kangaroo Island; 224 years later, Australia has finally removed them
In 1802, a French explorer released pigs on Kangaroo Island as a food supply for passing sailors; 224 years later, Australia has officially removed the last of them.
Kangaroo Island has been declared completely free of feral pigs, making it the largest island anywhere in the world to clear out an established population of the pest.
The landmark news was shared in a joint announcement on 10 June 2026 by Murray Watt, Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, and Clare Scriven, South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Kangaroo Island has been declared completely free of feral pigs, making it the largest island anywhere in the world to clear out an established population of the pest.
The landmark news was shared in a joint announcement on 10 June 2026 by Murray Watt, Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, and Clare Scriven, South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.
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