Experts are worried that an invasive species of “super pigs” in Canada will soon make their way south into the United States.
As Marcus Lashley, associate professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Florida, explains, “Invasive super pigs make for catchy headlines, but their potential effects are no joke.” These pigs are dangerous, and they could cost Americans billions of dollars.
Canada’s Super Pigs
Savage, wild pigs roam the woods in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, Canada. In fact, reports say there are more than 62,000 of these so-called super pigs throughout the country.
These pigs are not native to Canada or even North America; they originated in Eurasia and were brought to the continent in the 1500s by the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto.
Why Were Pigs Brought to North America?
When the pigs were first brought to North America, they weren’t “super pigs” like they are now. Then, they were just wild pigs that the first settlers raised for meat.
For centuries, the pigs lived on farms, and maybe a few escaped and lived in the wild, but they never caused any problems until the start of the new millennium.
The Pig Problem in Canada
In the 1980s, the Canadian government encouraged farmers to raise wild pigs for meat and commercial hunting, but then, in 2001, the market for wild pigs collapsed.
At that time, many frustrated farmers who could no longer make money from the pigs simply set them free. That was when the trouble began as the large population of now-wild pigs quickly started to multiply.
The Pigs Were Surprisingly Adaptable
The pigs were surprisingly resilient and adaptable in the wild. They would eat absolutely anything, including crops, wildlife, and even insects in the soil, so they were always satiated.
Additionally, their thick fur helped the pigs survive the cold Canadian winters. But what really ensured the pigs’ survival and eventually led to the problem Canada is facing now is that they reproduce exceptionally quickly.
One Wild Pig Can Raise 12 Piglets Every Year
A sow, or a female pig, can have up to six piglets in one litter and raise two litters annually. That means just one pig can raise 12 piglets every year.
And remember, experts say there are currently some 62,000 wild pigs in Canada, half of which are female. Even if 65% of the wild pig population could be killed every year, the population would still increase.
Hunters Can’t Seem to Eradicate the Pigs
While one might think Canada’s many hunters could simply control the population by targeting the wild pigs, it turns out that hunting actually makes the situation worse.
According to the Canadian government, the pigs are quite intelligent, and the hunters’ success rates are only between 2% and 3%. Experts have also noticed that once they’ve been hunted, the pigs become more wary of humans and more nocturnal, making it more challenging to systematically track and eradicate them.
The Super Pigs Have Already Been Spotted in North Dakota
The super pigs, as they are now called for their intelligence, massive population, rapid breeding, and resiliency, have already been spotted just over the Canadian border in North Dakota.
Local officials are already stalking the few who have moved over the border in the hopes of eliminating them before they can fully infiltrate the country. But experts say they need to be far more aggressive.
Why Are These Pigs Such a Problem?
It’s important to understand that there are several reasons why these pigs are so dangerous. Super pigs eat absolutely everything, often decimating the local ecosystem. And, as we all know, the destruction of ecosystems directly affects climate change.
Additionally, pigs love to eat crops, and they can eat a lot, which means they can destroy entire farms essentially overnight.
Wild Pigs Have Been Known to Attack People
Wild pigs like the super pigs in Canada have also been known to attack people. One woman lost her life in a wild pig attack in 2019, and, on average, they kill around nine people every year.
These pigs also carry dangerous diseases like African Swine Fever and can infect humans through consumption or even close contact.
Wild Pigs in the US Already Cost the Nation $2.5 Billion
While the super pigs present their own specific problems, the US has been dealing with wild pigs for decades. In fact, there are currently six million pigs roaming 35 states right now. These pigs cost the United States $2.5 billion every year in crop damage.
While local agencies are working hard to eliminate the constantly growing population, it’s an uphill battle. And if super pigs make their way south, it would be wildly detrimental to the entire country.
It’s Time to Be Aggressive
As Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and one of Canada’s leading authorities on the problem, says, Canada’s super pigs are “the most invasive animal on the planet.”
He continued, “The only path forward is you have to be really aggressive, and you have to use all the tools in the toolbox.”
