MARRERO, La. (AP) — Officials say at a cost of about $25,000, 64 feral hogs have been killed since the West Bank levee authority hired sharpshooters last fall to contain the animals and limit the damage they are causing to flood protection berms.

The Times-Picayune reports the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West governing board discussed the expense Tuesday before members voted to approve an additional $15,000 to continue the effort. That raises the expense to $40,000.

The authority's regional director John Monzon says the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office will deploy snipers when the hogs are most active. Officials are anticipating increased hog activity with warmer and wetter weather.

Board president Susan Maclay says using the snipers is not a long-term solution and that the authority will also consider erecting electric fences and traps.