Six species of feral or exotic game animals have been introduced to Guam and now form the basis of the island's recreational hunting program. They are the feral pig (Sus scrofa), sambar deer (Cevus unicolor), feral water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), feral goats (Capra hircus), black francolin (Francolinus francolinus), and the Philippine turtle-dove (Streptopelia bitorquata). Of these, the feral pig, because of its wide distribution and high density, appears to have the greatest negative impact on forest and agricultural resources. Destructive wallowing, feeding, and trampling of vegetation are common in most forested areas and can be quite severe at some locations. Deer and water buffalo occur at high densities only in localized areas. They appear to be less of a problem, but are known to adversely affect forest resources. Feral goats, black francolin, and Philippine turtle-doves do not appear to pose a significant threat to native fauna and forest resources at current population levels. Protection of forest habitat through control of feral and exotic game animals is recognized as necessary and is included as a task in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plans for Guam's endangered forest buds and bats. A relatively high human population density of 230/kmz, an extensive road network, and ease of physical access to hunting areas suggest that recreational hunting can be an effective low cost management tool for reducing ecological damage and controlling game populations in unhunted and under-hunted areas on Guam.
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