“Canada’s Growing ‘Super Pig’ Problem Threatens Northern US States”

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A surging population of resilient “super pigs” in Canada is now posing a significant threat to the northern states of the United States, including Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana, as they take measures to prevent the invasion.

In Canada, wild pigs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have become a concerning issue. These pigs often result from crossbreeding between the rugged Eurasian boar, known for its survival skills, and domestic swine, prized for their size and prolific breeding capabilities. The outcome is a formidable “super pig” population that is rapidly expanding beyond control.

Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a leading authority on this problem in Canada, has described feral swine as “the most invasive animal on the planet” and likens them to an “ecological train wreck.”

It’s important to note that pigs are not indigenous to North America. While they have roamed certain regions for centuries, Canada’s pig problem only emerged in the 1980s when farmers were encouraged to raise wild boars. The market subsequently collapsed after reaching its peak in 2001, prompting some frustrated farmers to release the animals by cutting their fences.

These adaptable and resourceful pigs, equipped to endure harsh Canadian winters, pose a multifaceted threat. They have voracious appetites, consuming crops and wildlife alike. Their rooting behavior damages the land, while they also have the potential to spread diseases like African swine fever to hog farms. Adding to the concern, they reproduce rapidly, with a single sow capable of having six piglets per litter and raising two litters annually. Even if 65% or more of the wild pig population were eliminated yearly, their numbers would still increase.

Surprisingly, hunting exacerbates the problem, with a success rate as low as 2% to 3%. Consequently, some states have prohibited hunting as it makes the pigs more cautious and nocturnal, making them harder to track and eradicate.

In the United States, wild pigs already cause approximately $2.5 billion in crop damage annually, with the majority occurring in southern states, notably Texas. Furthermore, these pigs can be aggressive towards humans, as evidenced by a fatal incident in Texas in 2019.

While eradication in Manitoba and Saskatchewan may no longer be feasible, hope remains in other areas. A few U.S. states have successfully eliminated wild pig populations. The key, according to experts like Ryan Brook, lies in early detection and swift action.

Brook and his team have documented 62,000 wild pig sightings in Canada, even close to the Canada-North Dakota border and within 18 miles of Minnesota. The imminent question is how these states will address this encroaching threat.

Montana has taken a proactive stance, banning the raising and transportation of wild pigs within the state. Vigilant strategies, including ground traps like the “BoarBuster” and net guns fired from helicopters, have been considered. Crowdsourced tracking programs, such as “Squeal on Pigs,” have been embraced in some regions. Poison options like sodium nitrite have been studied but carry the risk of harming other species.

Minnesota is among the states working to prevent wild pigs from establishing a foothold. Their Department of Natural Resources is set to release a report identifying gaps in their management plan and recommending new preventive measures. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is employing aircraft and drones to enhance surveillance along the northern border.

Although Minnesota was once declared pig-free after a group of feral pigs were eliminated in 2016, no truly wild pigs have infiltrated the state to date.

According to the USDA, feral swine have been reported in at least 35 states, with an estimated population of around 6 million. The National Feral Swine Management Program, launched in 2014, aims to eradicate these pigs in areas with low or emerging populations and mitigate damage in already established regions, such as Texas and the southeastern states. While progress has been made in states with smaller populations, complete eradication remains a distant goal.

For more information on invasive species, you can follow AP news at https://bigbignews.net/invasive-species.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Super Pigs Invasion

More about Super Pigs Invasion

• AP News – Invasive Species Coverage
• University of Saskatchewan – Wild Pig Research
• U.S. Department of Agriculture – Feral Swine Management Program