Alberta Declares Wild Boars a Pest, Implements New Restrictions

The Alberta government has declared wild boars “a pest in all circumstances,” introducing significant restrictions on their management effective December 1, 2023. Under these new regulations, it is now illegal to keep, buy, sell, obtain, or transport wild boars in the province without a permit. Additionally, no new wild boar farms will be permitted, and hunting and trapping of these animals is largely banned, except for landowners or occupants who may kill them on their property.

The government mandates that individuals who kill a wild boar must report the date, location, and number of animals killed to the province immediately. These measures aim to address the ecological and agricultural threats posed by the wild boar population, which has been expanding rapidly across Canada.

Hannah McKenzie, the province’s wild boar specialist, explained that the changes were necessary due to the dangers associated with existing wild boar populations and the risks of more escaping from captivity. “In addition to damaging agriculture and the environment, wild boars pose a serious risk for the introduction and spread of foreign animal diseases, including African swine fever and foot and mouth disease,” McKenzie said. Such diseases could have devastating financial implications for the pork industry and broader livestock sectors.

The term “wild boar” generally refers to the Eurasian wild pig or hybrids between that species and domestic swine. These animals were introduced to the Prairies in the late 20th century as livestock, but many escaped and established feral populations, particularly in the Prairie provinces. As their numbers grow, other jurisdictions have adapted their wild boar management strategies to combat disease and trade risks.

In Ontario, producers have faced similar challenges, as the province has mandated the phase-out of Eurasian wild boars from livestock by January 1, 2024. Hans Lindenmann, a pork producer in eastern Ontario, expressed uncertainty regarding his future, as wild boars constituted half of his business.

Alberta is currently collaborating with 12 wild boar farms, providing them with options to either maintain stricter conditions for their animals or receive compensation to exit the industry. The province is offering $590 per boar and additional compensation for fencing, with the total estimated cost of the program around $2.6 million. This initiative is part of a broader budget allocation of $3 million for wild boar management this year.

Charlotte Shipp, programs manager for Alberta Pork, acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “Wild boar producers are also producers for Alberta Pork, too, so it’s a difficult position to be in,” she stated. Shipp highlighted the importance of tightening restrictions and offering exit incentives to ensure the viability of producers while addressing disease risks.

The threat of African swine fever is significant, as it can decimate pig populations without affecting humans. Recently, an outbreak of the disease was reported among wild boars in Spain, a key pork producer in the European Union.

Monitoring and managing the wild boar population in Alberta presents challenges. McKenzie noted that tracking their numbers and locations is difficult because traditional survey methods, such as aerial surveys, are often ineffective. Wild boars are primarily nocturnal and favour dense forest habitats, making them hard to spot.

Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan who studies invasive wild boars, supports stricter regulations. He emphasized their destructive impact, stating, “They destroy the environment because, unlike many native wildlife species, wild boars actually rip up the ground.” Brook explained that their physiological traits, such as a lack of sweat glands, drive them to wetlands, where they can contaminate water supplies with diseases.

Despite the ban on sport hunting, which Brook has advocated for over the past 15 years, he believes that such measures are necessary in light of the species’ rapid reproduction rates. He explained that hunting has proven ineffective at controlling populations, as the animals reproduce frequently, averaging two litters of six piglets each year.

As Alberta implements these new restrictions, the ongoing discussions around wild boar management highlight the challenges and complexities of balancing ecological concerns with agricultural interests.