Photo supplied: FortSaskOnline
An invasive species is threatening crops, waterways and small animals in the area.
While many may have heard about parts of the United States being overrun by herds of wild boars, some would be surprised to find out that central Alberta is a hotspot for the destructive hogs as well.
Introduced in the 80s and 90s, the boars originally were intended to help diversify Alberta’s agriculture. The boars were meant for meat or hunting farms where people could hunt them in an enclosed area.
“In doing so, we bred this wild animal with domesticated pigs and created this mega invasive species that has all of the traits of both. So it’s a wild animal, but it breeds really fast, is really big and has lots of offspring,” said Megan Evans, executive director with the Alberta Invasive Species Council.
Wild boars have been labeled "pests" and the government is calling for their extermination. The species was introduced to North America in efforts to diversify agriculture, a mistake they should not have to pay for. Sign this petition to stop the eradication of the wild boar.
Squeal on pigs campaign targets wild boars in Alberta
Alberta has launched a campaign to address it wild boar problem. It s called Squeal On Pigs, and it aims to get the public involved in rooting out the destructive swine.
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CBC News ·
Posted: May 23, 2021 9:00 AM MT | Last Updated: May 23
Wild boar at large are a growing problem in Alberta, and the Alberta Invasive Species Council is stepping up efforts to eradicate the pest.(Inaturalist.org)
Article content
Wild boar were brought to Alberta in the 1980s and ’90s as a new form of livestock, but the ones that escaped are now causing major problems for farmers in Alberta.
Now, the Alberta Invasive Species Council (AISC) is launching a new campaign that asks Albertans to “Squeal on pigs” in an attempt to bring the problem under control.
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Try refreshing your browser, or Albertans asked to squeal on pigs in fight against wild boars Back to video
Feral pigs can cause problems in a number of ways, including destroying crops, spreading disease to livestock and wild animals, and preying on smaller livestock such as goats and young cattle.
Article content
Wild boar were brought to Alberta in the 1980s and ’90s as a new form of livestock, but the ones that escaped are now causing major problems for farmers in Alberta.
Now, the Alberta Invasive Species Council (AISC) is launching a new campaign that asks Albertans to “Squeal on pigs” in an attempt to bring the problem under control.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or New campaign against wild boars asks Albertans to squeal on pigs Back to video
Feral pigs can cause problems in a number of ways, including destroying crops, spreading disease to livestock and wild animals, and preying on smaller livestock such as goats and young cattle.