Provinces unite to track and control wild pigs
The 2023 Canadian Invasive Wild Pig Report was recently released by Animal Health Canada, providing a clear picture of how provinces and territories are tackling the spread of invasive wild pigs. This first-of-its-kind national collaboration shares location data, control activities, and verified reports, helping experts track and respond to emerging threats.
British Columbia has no known established populations but responds swiftly to any sightings. Licensed hunters may harvest feral pigs, and reports are compulsory. Alberta faces established populations of European wild boar and hybrids. The province classifies wild boar as pests and runs an active Wild Boar Control Program with monitoring, trapping, crop insurance, and disease surveillance.
Saskatchewan manages feral wild boars under strict regulations. The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation has removed over 1,000 animals since 2017 and enforces farm licensing, fencing, and a moratorium on new wild boar farms. Manitoba’s Squeal on Pigs program targets breeding populations near Spruce Woods Park and Lake Manitoba, combining public outreach, surveillance, and trapping. Ontario focuses on prevention, banning hunting and live wild boar imports while monitoring with trail cameras and public reports.
Wild pigs, including Eurasian boar, domestic types, and hybrids, cause extensive damage to crops, forests, and native plants. They also threaten human, wildlife, and livestock health by spreading infectious diseases. The risk of African swine fever, a deadly pig disease not yet in Canada, underscores the need for vigilance.
Animal Health Canada, federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and the pig industry continue to work together under the Pan-Canadian ASF Action Plan to prevent disease outbreaks. Public reports remain crucial to detection and control, ensuring that Canada’s farms and ecosystems remain protected from these destructive animals.
For more information about invasive wild pigs in Canada and the impact they have on agriculture, ecosystems, cultural resources, and the economy, visit the Wild Pigs Canada website.
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