Wild Pigs ( Sus scrofa ) Stand Their Ground: Investigating Flight Response, or Lack Thereof, to Perceived Predation Risk

Automated behavioral response systems (ABRs) record wildlife behavioral responses to auditory playbacks. Collectively, ABR studies suggest humans are perceived as a global “super predator.” Understanding invasive species response to auditory signals may enhance invasive species management and reduce their impact. Wild pigs ( Sus scrofa ) are invasive and cause significant damage in the United States. We used ABRs to assess flight response and foraging behavior to four auditory playbacks (humans, coyote vocalizations [ Canis latrans ], pigs in distress, and barred owl calls [ Strix varia ; as control] in southwestern Georgia. Wild pigs were primarily nocturnal, a common human avoidance behavior. Wild pig response was greatest to human speech, but pigs habituated rapidly. Wild pigs often exhibited a “freezing” behavior over fleeing suggesting a search for additional predation cues. Our study adds to ABR literature where humans are perceived as super predators but suggests auditory stimuli alone is unlikely to reduce wild pig damage.