Historic Auckland Island pigs rescued before full eradication of feral herd
Seventeen pigs descended from a 1807 ship-released herd were captured and taken to mainland New Zealand before the remaining feral population on the Auckland Islands was eliminated.
In 1807 a group of sealers or sailors released a small number of domestic pigs on the largest Auckland Island, hoping they would provide meat for any shipwreck survivors. The herd survived for nearly two centuries, evolving into a distinct, hardy type suited to the islands’ cool, wet climate. By the early 2000s, the islands were recognized as a critical nature reserve, and the feral pigs were deemed a threat to native birds and vegetation.
Conservation teams captured 17 pigs—representing various family lines—and relocated them to secure farms on New Zealand’s mainland. After the rescue, the remaining feral pigs were systematically eradicated, allowing native flora and fauna to recover. The mainland population is now managed as a rare breed, valued for its genetic uniqueness and historical significance.
