Alberta Declares Wild Boars a Pest, Enforces New Hunting Restrictions

The Alberta government has officially classified wild boars as “a pest in all circumstances” starting from December 1, 2023. This designation introduces stringent new restrictions aimed at controlling the population of these invasive animals. Under the new regulations, it is now illegal to keep, buy, sell, obtain, or transport wild boars in Alberta without a permit, effectively halting the establishment of new wild boar farms in the province.

The measures also prohibit the hunting and trapping of wild boars, except for landowners who may kill them on their own property. Anyone who kills a wild boar must report the event to the province, including details such as the date, location, and number of animals killed.

Hannah McKenzie, Alberta’s wild boar specialist, emphasized the necessity of these changes due to the ecological and agricultural threats posed by wild boars. “In addition to damaging agriculture and the environment, wild boar pose a serious risk for the introduction and spread of foreign animal diseases, including African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease,” McKenzie stated. She highlighted that such diseases could have a devastating financial impact on the pork industry and broader livestock sector.

Economic Implications and Compensation Plans

The wild boar issue is not just an environmental concern but also an economic one. The province is currently collaborating with 12 existing wild boar farms in Alberta, offering them two options: comply with stricter conditions to keep their animals or accept compensation to exit the industry. The compensation is set at $590 per boar, along with payment for fencing costs. The estimated total cost for the province’s management program is around $2.6 million, with $3 million allocated in this year’s provincial budget for wild boar management.

Charlotte Shipp, programs manager at Alberta Pork, acknowledged the challenging position these regulations create for the pork industry. “Wild boar producers are also producers for Alberta Pork, too, so it’s a difficult position to be in,” she remarked. Shipp underscored the importance of tightening restrictions to prevent escapes and mitigate the risk of disease spread, while also providing a viable exit strategy for producers.

Challenges in Control and Management

Tracking the wild boar population in Alberta poses significant challenges. Traditional management methods, such as aerial surveys, are often ineffective due to the nocturnal behavior and preference for dense forest habitats of these animals. McKenzie noted, “They’re very difficult to survey,” highlighting the complexities involved in managing feral populations.

Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and an advocate for stricter regulations, described wild boars as “incredibly destructive.” He explained that their rooting behavior damages the environment, as they disturb the ground and contaminate water sources. Brook has long been vocal about the ineffectiveness of sport hunting in reducing wild boar populations. He pointed out that while hunting is now banned, the historical practice has not proven to be a successful control measure.

The situation further complicates as recent events in Spain—a major pork producer—reported an outbreak of African swine fever among wild boars. This highlights the urgency of Alberta’s measures to protect its agricultural sector from similar threats.

As the province implements these new regulations, the impact on both the environment and the agricultural economy remains a focal point of discussion among stakeholders. The government faces the ongoing challenge of balancing the interests of local producers with the necessity of protecting Alberta’s ecological integrity.