Alberta Enforces New Restrictions on Wild Boars to Combat Threats

The Alberta government has declared wild boars to be “a pest in all circumstances,” effective December 1, 2023. This designation brings with it a range of new restrictions aimed at managing the growing population of these animals, which are considered a significant threat to agriculture and the environment.

Under the new regulations, it is illegal to keep, buy, sell, or transport wild boars in Alberta without a permit. This ban extends to preventing the establishment of new wild boar farms within the province. Hunting and trapping of wild boars is also prohibited, except for landowners or occupants who may kill the animals on their own property. Those who do kill a wild boar must report the date, location, and number of animals killed to the province promptly.

According to Hannah McKenzie, Alberta’s wild boar specialist, these changes were necessitated by the dangers posed by existing wild boar populations and the risk of more animals escaping captivity. “In addition to damaging agriculture and the environment, wild boars pose a serious risk for the introduction and spread of foreign animal diseases, including African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease,” McKenzie stated. Such diseases could have a devastating financial impact on the pork industry and broader livestock sector.

The wild boar, specifically the Eurasian wild pig and its hybrids, were introduced to Canada in the late 20th century for livestock purposes. Since then, feral populations have proliferated, particularly in the Prairie provinces. “As they spread and become a greater threat, we’ve seen other provinces and jurisdictions take action to manage wild boar populations to combat disease and trade risks,” McKenzie added.

Current wild boar farms in Alberta face a choice: comply with stricter conditions or receive compensation from the province to exit the industry. Alberta officials are offering $590 per boar and additional compensation for fencing, with the program estimated to cost around $2.6 million. The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation allocated $3 million for wild boar management in this year’s provincial budget.

Charlotte Shipp, programs manager at Alberta Pork, acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “Wild boar producers are also part of Alberta Pork, so it’s a difficult position to be in,” she said. Shipp emphasized that tightening regulations and providing exit incentives for wild boar producers are positive steps toward addressing the issue.

The threat of African swine fever, which is harmless to humans but lethal to pigs, looms large. An outbreak in wild boars was recently reported in Spain, a major pork producer in the European Union. The disease has the potential to decimate pig populations, causing substantial economic repercussions.

Monitoring wild boar populations remains a challenge. “They’re very difficult to survey,” McKenzie explained, noting that traditional methods like aerial surveys are less effective due to the animals’ nocturnal behavior and preference for dense forest habitats.

Professor Ryan Brook from the University of Saskatchewan, who studies invasive wild boars, has long advocated for stricter management regulations. “They are incredibly destructive,” he stated, highlighting the environmental damage caused by wild boars, which uproot vegetation and contaminate water sources with diseases.

Brook criticized the decision to ban sport hunting, arguing that it could hinder eradication efforts. “Hunting does not eliminate them fast enough, and it can actually spread their populations,” he noted, citing the animals’ high reproductive rates, with females averaging two litters of six piglets per year.

The new measures reflect a growing urgency among Canadian provinces, including Saskatchewan, which has implemented a moratorium on new wild boar farms and imposed restrictions on existing operations. As the situation develops, Alberta’s government continues to grapple with balancing agricultural interests with the pressing need for effective wildlife management.