Albertans Encouraged to Use One of Four Options for Reporting Wild Pig Sightings

The Alberta Invasive Species Council is encouraging the public to use any of four options for reporting sightings of wild pigs in the province

In May 2021 the Alberta Invasive Species Council, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments and in collaboration with Alberta’s agriculture sector, launched the Squeal on Pigs campaign, a program designed to educate the public about the risks posed by wild pigs and to provide options for reporting evidence of wild pigs.

Alberta Invasive Species Council Executive Director Megan Evans says, while we don’t have accurate numbers, populations are expanding.

“They’re considered to be one of the most damaging invasive species on the planet. They are incredibly destructive“

 

 

“They’re considered to be one of the most damaging invasive species on the planet. They are incredibly destructive. With regards to their impact, they’re quite far reaching. They’re really devastating to crops where they get into crop fields, they can trample crops, they turn over vegetation in search of things in the form of tubers and grubs. They also feed on certain crops like corn.

“They’ll root around and they’ll wallow around riparian areas where they’re rolling around in the mud and the muck to cool off, which or course can be very damaging to certain riparian areas, resulting in sedimentation and contamination of the water bodies. They can even predate young livestock and wild life.

“But the single most serious risk associated with this species is just the threat of disease transmission. They can carry up to 89 different diseases that can be transmitted to humans, wildlife and livestock and some of those are what we call reportable diseases.

“An example of a reportable disease would be African Swine fever.

“An outbreak of African Swine Fever could result in the immediate closure of Alberta’s pork exports, which is a very serious risk.”

Evans notes the public has four different options for reporting wild pig sightings, including EDDMapS Alberta, the council’s free invasive species smartphone reporting app, they can email AF.wildboar@gov.ab.ca, they can call 310-FARM or they can contact their local municipality.

Farmscape is produced on behalf of North America’s pork producers