Sows whose protein intake drops below critical levels cease to lactate and this may result in high piglet mortality, particularly during severe late dry season periods. Movements and habitat use Feral pigs tend to be sedentary, restricting their movements to a defined home-range. Daily home-ranges tend to be small, averaging around 1.0 km 2 . Yearly home-ranges are larger, averaging 31 km 2 for feral boars and 19 km 2 for feral sows in the Douglas Daly district. Large dominant boars may have home ranges larger than 50 km 2 .
Feral pigs show little tendency to disperse over long distances.
The longest recorded movement of a feral boar in a 4 year study of pig movements in the Douglas Daly district was 22 km from its initial point of capture over a period of 3 years. The longest recorded movement of a feral sow was 8 km from its initial point of capture. Feral pigs are potential hosts of a number of parasites which could be detrimental to human health. Infections of game meat workers with brucellosis and leptospirosis are well documented in Queensland. Hunters and game meat operators should observe good hygienic practices when dressing and handling feral pigs.