While evidence suggests the presence of wild boars in North America as early as the 1600s, when colonizers introduced them, today’s surge is attributed to more recent miscalculations. In the 1980s and 1990s, wild pigs escaped — or were intentionally released from — farms in Ontario and the Prairies.

As well as being destructive, the pigs carry diseases — including swine brucellosis, classical swine fever and the deadly African swine fever — that can be passed on to domestic pigs: an expensive risk for Canada’s $4-billion pork industry.

Then there are the environmental consequences. Wild boars are an “ecological train wreck,” rooting, trampling and wallowing to their hearts’ content while devastating
delicate ecosystems and the habitats of vulnerable species.

The legendary Canadian winter hasn’t slowed them down either, as they burrow into “pigloos” beneath the snow and use a profound sense of smell to find roots, bulbs, seeds, nuts and plants buried beneath deep snowdrifts. They also breed prolifically, having six to 16 piglets per litter and one or two litters per year.

So how does one battle a beast that is highly intelligent, can live anywhere and will eat anything? When hunting was opened up in Saskatchewan, pigs became more adept at hiding and pivoted to being nocturnal to avoid humans, so early detection and reporting are crucial. Wild boar farms were recently banned in Ontario, while Saskatchewan is developing stricter rules for existing farms and banning new ones. As these furry marauders continue their relentless march across the landscape, it will take every ounce of human ingenuity to solve a pig problem of our own making. So far, they have proven to be the ultimate survivors.

For a deeper dive into the devastating impacts of feral pigs in Canada, read journalist Niki Wilson’s online feature at cangeo.ca/wildboar