Two men have been fined for illegal pig hunting activity in Bribie Island National Park.
The incident occurred in late March after park rangers and police were alerted to two vehicles entering the park on multiple occasions to hunt feral pigs.
Officers and rangers observed suspicious activity in the area and upon further investigation, discovered the men had travelled on restricted access roads, entering the park unlawfully with pig-hunting dogs and associated equipment.
The offenders allegedly removed their number plates to avoid detection from cameras, however police were able to successfully identify the involved vehicles.
The two men were intercepted by police and issued infringement notices, receiving a combined $9032 in fines under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 and various transport operations acts and regulations.
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Feral pigs are a declared pest in Queensland and can be managed under strict control measures on private land, but hunting in national parks is strictly prohibited.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service carries out targeted pest control around Bribie Island National Park to protect native wildlife, manage invasive species and help restore the island’s natural ecosystems.
QPWS manager Chris Skennar said the illegal activities could also cause major disruption to coordinated pest programs.
“Bribie Island National Park is a fragile ecosystem that supports a wide variety of unique native species. Illegal hunting not only poses a direct threat to local wildlife, but also damages sensitive landscapes, undermining the conservation efforts our rangers work so hard to maintain,” he said.
“Even if the intention is to target a pest species, the way it’s done matters. National parks aren’t a remote property, they’re a shared, protected space. We’re committed to enforcing the law and ensuring our parks are safe for both visitors and wildlife.
“We work closely with the Queensland Police Service to protect these areas and appreciate their support and the support of the community in reporting incidents like this. Your information helps to ensure our national parks are protected.”
Police Acting Chief Superintendent Adam Guild from the Moreton District said illegal activity would be met with significant fines or charges.
“I acknowledge the good policing work that was done to identify and intercept the alleged offenders, despite their attempts to go undetected,” he said.
“We will continue to support QPWS and work with the rangers to assist in protecting our national parks and eliminating criminal behaviour within them.”
Any illegal activity in national parks and state forests can be reported anonymously by calling 1300 130 372.
