They’re enormous, they carry parasites that are detrimental to Texas cattle, and Texas officials can’t get rid of them fast enough. Yet, private landowners are still charging thousands to hunt them.
The “nilgai,” is an invasive species that was originally imported to feed ranchers in the 1920s. After the original import of 600 animals, they spread quickly and there are now as many as 30,000. They tend to give birth to twins.
Texas wildlife officials try to shoot them from helicopters but there’s one problem. Private ranchers charge hunters to pursue the beasts, and they can demand a much as $750 per hunt, with a there’s a $1,000 fee if you take a bull. And because their land is protected, as many as 10,000 of these animals are able to continue spreading disease, free from harm. According to Vice.com, they have extremely thick hides which make them especially challenging to hunt.
Texas has taken extreme measures to get rid of invasive hogs, here’s hoping the ranchers help out the state and start getting rid of more nilgai. – Rick Bach
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