“Super pigs” cause millions of dollars in damages each year to crops and harbor dozens of pathogens that threaten both humans and livestock as well as the meat production system.
Wild pigs, originating from Canada, are also known as “super pigs” and can weigh over 220 kg, double the size of typical wild pigs. In the United States, there are currently about 6 million super pigs across at least 35 states, according to statistics from the Department of Agriculture.
The population of wild pigs in Canada remains undetermined, but scientists say they are rapidly increasing. Ryan Brook, director of the Canadian wild pig research project, stated: “They are spreading out of control. They cover an area of about 1 million km2 in Canada, much larger than many countries.”
Wild pigs are known for their devastating impact, as they destroy crops, spread diseases, and contaminate water sources. Studies estimate that these animals cause $2.5 billion in damages annually in the U.S.
“They are certainly dangerous. Wild pigs have killed people and have seriously injured a member of our team. They are considered one of the most destructive species on the planet,” Brook said.
A researcher from the University of Saskatchewan noted that wild pigs are destructive and highly adaptable. Brook and his colleagues at the University of Saskatchewan recently conducted a study – funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – to determine whether super pigs pose a threat to northern states such as Montana, Minnesota, and North Dakota, which currently have no pigs.
They found that the pigs from Canada have a “high likelihood” of advancing northward and made strong recommendations on how to address this issue.
Devastating Impact
Canadian wild pigs are descendants of animals that were released or escaped from farms.
Brook told Quirks & Quarks host Bob McDonald: “Wild pigs were brought from the UK in the 1980s and 1990s to try to diversify American agriculture.”
These pigs were then bred with domestic pigs to increase size and reproductive capabilities, leading to what Brook calls “super pigs” because “it enhances reproduction rates and makes this species larger.”
Brook noted that the largest pig he has captured weighed 290 kg. Since females can reproduce as early as six months old and have multiple litters each year, “the population of pigs does not decrease, no matter how quickly you try to remove them,” he said.
Each yellow dot on this map represents a new wild pig sighting in Manitoba in 2023.
Across Canada, most wild pigs live in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, but they are also found in Yukon, British Columbia, and increasingly in Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) stated in a release to CBC that they received 80 reports of pigs in the past year.
One of the main challenges for researchers is that wild pigs are very difficult to detect.
Ben Waddle, a livestock farmer in Manitoba, commented: “There are many misconceptions about these pigs. People expect to drive out and see a herd of pigs somewhere. But that’s not the reality.”
Since wild pigs are nocturnal and have excellent hiding capabilities, researchers rely heavily on trail cameras to track where the pigs are moving. Waddle mentioned that he rarely sees pigs around his farm, but the signs of destruction left by the herd are everywhere.
“They are active at night, so you usually only see the damage. They are like tillers, turning everything over and causing a lot of damage in a very short time.”
No Quick Fix
Brook stated that hunting super pigs does not reduce their population.
“Assuming we shoot 2-3 out of 10, the remaining ones become even more active at night. They scatter everywhere. So seasonal hunting only makes things worse.”
Ontario banned pig hunting in 2021, and Brook hopes other places will follow suit.
Pigs tend to move in large groups. Initially, pigs were thought not to reproduce in the wild, but today researchers have found that females can have multiple litters per year with six piglets per litter.
Waddle mentioned that one of the most effective ways to help is for people to report sightings of pigs, no matter where they are. Waddle works as a field technician for the Squeal on Pigs Manitoba group, aimed at limiting the damage caused by pigs.
Super pigs live in groups and reproduce quickly.
“We carry out a lot of monitoring activities such as setting up cameras and trying to work with landowners to find out where the pigs are,” Waddle said.
Once they know pigs are in the area, the team can lure them into traps and dispose of them. “It will be a long road. There is no quick solution,” he said.
Brook agrees and wants to see more action taken to prevent the pigs from expanding their range.
“I think many people are pretending to believe this is not a significant issue. But the reality is, super pigs are here, spreading, and out of control like any wildfire I have ever seen,” he said.
