fforts to manage wild pig populations in Manitoba require a broad and strategic approach, according to Dr. Wayne Lees, Coordinator of Squeal on Pigs Manitoba. The initiative—backed by federal, provincial, and swine industry partners—is working to address the rising threat posed by Eurasian wild boar.
“Canada’s climate and geography make wild pigs harder to locate than in places like the U.S. or Australia,” explains Dr. Lees. “That’s why we don’t rely on just one tool.”
Instead, Squeal on Pigs Manitoba uses a layered surveillance system: public reporting, thermal drone scouting, trail cameras, and even water sampling for pig DNA in remote areas. These techniques work together to confirm the presence—or absence—of wild pigs in specific regions.
While escaped domestic pigs are occasionally spotted, the major concern is with Eurasian wild boar—originally brought to Canada in the 1980s as part of an agricultural diversification strategy. Some escaped and established breeding populations in the wild, creating a lasting challenge for landowners and the ag industry.
The Spruce Woods area, southeast of Brandon, remains the key focus zone for control efforts.
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