FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Canada) August 20, 2025 – In response to the serious ecological and agricultural challenges posed by invasive wild pigs, Canada has launched Wild Pigs Canada, a new national online hub. This platform—created by Invasives Canada and Animal Health Canada, alongside the Invasive Wild Pig Leadership Group—provides one central place for Canadians to access tools, science-based information, and resources to help combat this growing threat.
Wild Pigs Canada equips the public, producers, and communities with practical knowledge: how to recognize wild pigs, where to report sightings, and how to stay informed about the latest research and coordinated actions across the country. Visit WildPigs.ca to learn more.
According to Dr. Leigh Rosengren, industry co-chair on the Animal Health Board of Directors, the new website is a valuable step forward: “This platform provides Canadians with clear, accessible information to help reduce the spread of invasive wild pigs and support their removal from the landscape.”
Invasive wild pigs—escaped or released domestic pigs now living in the wild—are highly adaptable, elusive, and expanding in range. They root up crops, damage pastures, and tear through natural areas. Their destructive feeding and wallowing cause severe damage to wetlands, greenspaces, and even urban parks, stripping away vegetation, eroding soil, and contaminating water with pathogens. Such impacts devastate native biodiversity, destroy habitat for waterfowl and pollinators, and degrade recreational spaces enjoyed by communities.
These animals also pose risks to people, pets, and livestock. They can be aggressive if threatened and may carry dangerous livestock diseases, including African swine fever (ASF).
ASF, though not present in Canada, is a major global concern. If wild pigs were to spread it here, the impacts on domestic pig farms, pork producers, and international trade would be catastrophic.
Currently, invasive wild pig populations are established in parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, though isolated occurrences have been reported in other provinces and territories. Their rapid spread and wide-ranging impacts make it clear that no single sector can solve this issue alone. Coordinated national action is critical.
Canada’s Invasive Wild Pig Strategy (2022–2032) calls for a unified approach to prevent and eradicate these destructive animals. Wild Pigs Canada delivers on one of the strategy’s top priorities: raising awareness and mobilizing the public to act. The Invasive Wild Pig Leadership Group continues to support this work, helping align efforts across provinces and regions.
Rebecca Lord, Executive Director of Invasives Canada, emphasizes the importance of partnerships: “Wild Pigs Canada is the result of collaboration across agriculture, conservation, and government. It connects Canadian expertise with international efforts in the U.S. and Mexico, building a stronger, coordinated response.”
Matt DeMille, Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, highlights the role of everyday Canadians: “Whether you’re a landowner, a hunter, or just someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, you now have one trusted place to learn what invasive wild pigs mean for Canada and how to report them. Everyone who uses the land has a part to play in being the first line of defense.”
What the Public Needs to Know:
- Wild pigs are not native to Canada and are one of the most damaging invasive species on the planet.
- Coexistence is not possible. Their destructive feeding and rapid reproduction mean they quickly overwhelm ecosystems, farms, and communities if left unchecked.
- Sightings should be reported immediately through Wild Pigs Canada so that wildlife experts and authorities can respond quickly.
- Avoid approaching or feeding wild pigs, as they can be aggressive and unpredictable.
Wild Pigs Canada is for anyone who wants to protect Canada’s farms, wetlands, greenspaces, parks, wildlife, and natural landscapes from this urgent and growing threat.
The most widely recognized expert on wild boars in Saskatchewan is Dr. Ryan Brook, an associate professor in the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources. He is best known as the leader of the Canadian Wild Pig Research Project, a long-running initiative that tracks the spread of invasive wild pigs across the country. His team uses a wide range of methods to monitor populations, from aerial surveys in planes and helicopters to ground crews, trail cameras, and reports from local residents. Dr. Brook’s work has made him a leading voice in the national conversation about invasive wild pigs. For over a decade, he has documented their expansion across millions of square kilometers of Canada, providing the first comprehensive baseline maps of their distribution. His warnings have often made headlines, including his stark prediction that, if left unchecked, Saskatchewan could one day have more wild pigs than people. The risks he highlights are serious and multifaceted. Wild pigs are highly adaptable, reproduce quickly, and are exceptionally difficult to control once established. Their rooting behavior tears up soil, accelerates erosion, spreads weeds, and destroys native vegetation, causing long-term ecological damage. On farmland, they trample and consume crops, leaving behind significant losses for producers. Just as concerning, they carry the potential to spread dangerous diseases to domestic livestock, wildlife, and even humans—posing both economic and public health risks. Through his teaching and research in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Dr. Brook has become a central figure in raising awareness about the growing crisis. His work emphasizes that invasive wild pigs are not simply a rural problem; they threaten wetlands, grasslands, and even public parks, making them a challenge for all Canadians.
🐗 What You Can Do to Help Stop Invasive Wild Pigs
- Report Sightings Immediately – Go to WildPigs.ca to share any confirmed sightings. Quick reports help experts respond before pigs spread further.
- Do Not Approach or Feed – Wild pigs can be aggressive and unpredictable. Keep people and pets at a safe distance.
- Protect Nature – Remember that wetlands, greenspaces, and parks are at risk. Sharing information helps communities defend these landscapes.
- Be a First Line of Defense – Farmers, hunters, hikers, and everyday citizens all play a role in stopping invasive wild pigs.
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