Ossabaw Island Hog
Conservation status | Critical |
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Other names | Ossabaw Island |
Country of origin | Ossabaw Island USA |
Traits | |
Weight |
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The Ossabaw Island Hog or Ossabaw Island is a
History
As the Spanish explored the coast of the Americas in the 16th century, livestock such as pigs were often left on islands as a future food source.
The human population of the island was never high, and the pigs generally ranged freely over its entire acreage. Like feral pigs elsewhere in the world, those on Ossabaw have had an adverse effect on native habitat and species. The pigs are highly omnivorous, and will consume everything from roots and tubers to small reptiles and mammals. Ossabaw hogs have even been observed feeding on white-tailed deer entrails.[3]
Ossabaw Island hogs have been documented as having a negative impact on endangered species such as the loggerhead sea turtle and snowy plover, disturbing nests and eating eggs.[3] This, plus the varied other impacts they have on the ecosystem, have convinced the Georgia DNR to recommend the eradication of feral swine via trapping, shooting and hunting by the public.[3]
Aside from the environmental concerns posed by Ossabaw Island hogs, they are also recognized as a unique genetic resource by scientists and breed conservationists. They are thought to be the only U.S. breed which is descended from the Iberian-type pigs brought to North America by the Spanish.[4] A very small breeding population of Ossabaw hogs are kept off the island by farmers who market them as a form of heritage pork, and there are also herds at several zoos and farms, at Mount Vernon, Colonial Williamsburg, National Colonial Farm at Piscataway Park in Accokeek, Maryland,[5] Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers, Indiana, and Barrington Living History Farm in Washington, Texas. Captive breeding populations were also previously kept by a few American universities for scientific study and conservation, but these herds were dissolved and have not contributed to the current bloodlines of Ossabaw hogs on the mainland today.[6]
Both the island and mainland populations continue to be considered vulnerable by the
The population on the island is currently controlled by the methods advised by the DNR, and it is unclear how much longer the population will avoid eradication entirely. Due to the presence of
Characteristics
The breed characteristics of Ossabaw Island hogs in both phenotype and genotype have been shaped by the pressures of feral life in an island habitat. They are small swine, less than 20 inches (510 mm) tall and weighing less than 200 pounds (90 kg) at maturity.[2] This size is partly due to the phenomenon of insular dwarfism,[8] and individuals kept in off-island farms may grow slightly larger in successive generations. They are also hardy and very good foragers, making them useful in extensive farming (as opposed to intensive pig farming).[2]
Ossabaw hogs appear in a wide range of colors, with the most common being black and a spotted variety. Ossabaw piglets do not show the striping that
As a result of life on an island where the abundance and scarcity of food is seasonally variable, Ossabaw hogs store fat in a different manner than most domestic pigs and have a "
The meat of Ossabaws is dark, with a unique texture,
See also
- List of domestic pig breeds
- Grice - an extinct pig from Shetland
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-300-08880-9.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-60342-036-5.
- ^ a b c Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (September 29, 2000). Ossabaw Island Comprehensive Management Plan (PDF).[permanent dead link]
- ^ ISBN 978-1-933392-89-9.
- ^ "National Colonial Farm: Heritage Breed Livestock Conservation". Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park. 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ISBN 978-0-8203-3137-9.
- ^ a b "Ossabaw Island Hog". albc-usa.org. American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
- ^ Slow Food USA.
- ISBN 978-0-8493-9278-8. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- S2CID 82094042.
- ^ Kaminsky, Peter (October 6, 2004). "On the Trail of Fine Ham: First, Plant an Acorn". The New York Times.
- ^ Moskowitz, Dara (25–26 January 2007). "Heritage pork: A swanky swine to dine". USA Today. Retrieved 5 December 2009.