Feral pig alert in Allegany State Park

ALLEGANY STATE PARK (WIVB) - Wild pigs are on the loose in Allegany State Park.

Allegany State Park is always busy this time of year, with people coming to enjoy the fall colors.

But there are a few unwanted visitors at the park this year.

Allegany State Park Manager, Brad Whitcomb said, "We were surprised when our worker showed up with the photos last Friday. We're still trying to figure out where they came from."

Three feral pigs have been spotted five times over the past few days roaming around inside the park.

Park goers who were just as surprised as wildlife officials, to find these giant hogs in the park.

"It's a very new situation in New York," explained wildlife biologist, Ken Baginski.

Wildlife specialists said they've never seen them in the park before, but they have been found in other parts of the state in small numbers.

DEC officials want them gone though, since they're considered a nuisance animal.

"They're considered an invasive species, so we'll be looking at wildlife management issues to control them," said Mike Miecznikowski of the DEC.

They've been seen mostly at the south-eastern corner of the park, near the Pennsylvania border.

The P.A. Game Commission has no reports of any feral swine sitings, but say that it's possible they could be up north.

They've become a problem in the south where many populations are being eradicated.

That's what officials are hoping to do, eliminate them before they cause any problems.

Miecznikowski also said, "There are different options. Hunting, trapping, and so on and so forth."

Baginski of the DEC warned, "Don't go near 'em, try and scare 'em away and just avoid them."

And be sure to report them to park rangers.