Wild Boar at Large are a Designated Agricultural Pest

Wild Boar at Large are a Designated Agricultural Pest

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Wild boar at large are a designated agricultural pest in Alberta.

Davin Robertson, Communications Advisor with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, said wild boar have been documented in 24 rural Alberta municipalities.

As far as occurrences that have been reported, Robertson said

there have been five occurrences in Lamont County, three occurrences in Two Hills County, two occurrences in Minburn County, one occurrence in Smoky Lake County, and no occurrences in Beaver County.

“The highest number of wild boar at large have been in Lac Ste. Anne and Woodlands Countries, and they are likely descendants of wild boar that escaped from farms,” noted Robertson.

Wild boar at large.

(Alberta Agriculture & Forestry)

As far as statistics, Robertson stated that, “We don’t know specific numbers of wild boar as they are very difficult to survey in the dense cover they inhabit. We keep receiving reports of wild boar occurrences in new locations which could indicate their numbers are expanding.”

He went on to say, “They can be aggressive to humans and pets; especially if they are cornered or defending their young.

In terms of habitat, Robertson said, “They seek out dense cover to nest during the day and forage on crops at night.

They are known to prey on wildlife, particularly young ungulates and ground nesting birds; they are attracted to water sources and contaminate water and destroy fish habitat. They pose a threat of disease transfer to people, pets, and wildlife.”

A boars nest.

(Alberta Agriculture & Forestry)

According to Alberta Agriculture & Forestry, “Wild boar are not native to Alberta. They came to the province in the 1980’s and ‘90’s as livestock. At that time, there were no requirements for secure containment and over the years, some escaped and established several feral/wild populations.”

Impacts of wild boar at large

Wild boar are farmed in Alberta as livestock. When they are not being raised as livestock, they are considered to be ‘at large’ and an invasive pest that can:

• damage property, agricultural crops, pastures and the environment, including through rooting (digging)

• endanger people and animals

• harass livestock and consume their feed, prey on young livestock and wildlife

• spread diseases that could be transmitted to wildlife, livestock, pets and people

• alter the ecosystem, including through wallowing that can contaminate water supplies, promote erosion and destroy fish habitat

• compete with wildlife and destroy other sensitive natural habitats

• consume the eggs of ground-nesting birds

Signs of wild boar Signs of boar activity include:

• tracks in the snow or mud, or trails of groups (sounders) of boar

• signs of boar digging or rolling around (rooting and wallowing)

• signs of boar eating your livestock feed

• boar droppings

• trampled or destroyed crops

To raise awareness, the state of Montana developed the ‘Squeal on Pigs!’ campaign to encourage the public to report observations of wild boar at large. The Alberta Invasive Species Council is grateful to the Montana Invasive Species Council, which has allowed us to adapt, adopt and promote the ‘Squeal on Pigs!’ Campaign to raise awareness of this issue in Alberta.