European Union Approves Vaccine for 'Boar Taint'.
A solution to out-of-control wild pig populations?
The European Commission just approved Improvac as a vaccine for boar taint. Improvac is a product of Pfizer Animal Health.
“Boar taint” as defined in the free Medical Dictionary is “an odor specific to fresh boar meat, especially from adult boars, and said to resemble stale urine, is strongest immediately after slaughter, fades during storage but returns on frying or boiling. Some diners prefer the redolent rashers.” (http://medicalary.thefreedictionary.com/boar+taint)-diction
Chemically castrated boar can be raised to the weight of natural boar on less feed than castrates would require. It also eliminates much of the undesirable behavior male pigs display when reaching maturity.
The vaccine is administered in two doses. The first primes the immune system while the second eliminates the taint compounds in the body.
The vaccine is approved by 52 countries in the world.
It is a tempting thought to suggest using the vaccine to control burgeoning populations of wild pigs in the this country. However, domestic pigs raised in pens are easy to vaccinate. But how does one apply two vaccination shots to wild pigs roaming free?
PJJ
3 comments:
Doc,
Is it just me, or does anyone else get the Heebie-Jeebies when you read stuff like that. "Two shots and you don't have to worry about that pesky body odor!"
Of course, come to think of it, I can see some very useful applications in the Criminal Justice system. hmmmm...
Regards,
Albert
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles.
Boar Hunting Calibers: Part I
Ketch' Em' With the dawgs' PJJ,
As a youngster back in Florida, we used to catch wild boar with our dogs and then we would castrate them, blue seal them and let them go!
My supposition would be that you could do the same chemically, although your post does say to inoculate twice.
The likelihood of catching the same animal at precisely the given time for the second shot would be pretty slim to none.
Sure would be fun to try though!
Of course trapping would work quite well, but good ol' California requires that you immediately shoot them in the trap.
Nice little catch 22 they have put us in here .........
Well guys. It would be nice to solve the 'odor' problem and keep the meat from getting that old boar taste.
Re:Vaccine.
I agree. Two shots to complete the vaccination is not very practical for wild pigs.
Thought it interesting anyway because once the vaccine is approved and improved, there may also be a better way to give it to wild animals.
Still believe that some sort of birth control for wild pigs is a good way to keep boar populations under better control. And from rampaging through towns and cities.
Regarding catching and castrating piglets: I hunted a private WU ranch a few years ago. Got a 300+ boar there.
We wondered what ever happened to his testicles because we could not find any on field dressing. Someone pointed out a notch in his ears and announced that we got us a barrel. The meat was excellent. No taint, sweet and tender. Great eating - 300 pounds or not.
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