Alberta Declares Wild Boars a Pest, Implements Strict New Rules

The Alberta government has officially classified wild boars as “a pest in all circumstances,” effective **December 1, 2023**. This designation introduces stringent new regulations on the management of wild boars, including prohibitions against keeping them in captivity and hunting them in the wild without a permit. Under these new guidelines, it is now illegal to buy, sell, obtain, or transport wild boars in the province, and no new wild boar farms will be permitted.

The hunting and trapping of wild boars is largely forbidden, except for landowners or occupants who may kill the animals on their own land. Individuals who do kill a wild boar are now required to report the date, location, and number of boars killed to provincial authorities promptly. These actions are part of an effort to address the ecological and agricultural threats posed by growing wild boar populations in Alberta.

According to **Hannah McKenzie**, Alberta’s wild boar specialist, the decision to impose these restrictions stems from significant concerns regarding the risks posed by existing populations. “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 explained. She emphasized that these diseases could have severe financial implications for the pork industry and broader livestock operations in Alberta.

The issue of wild boars is not unique to Alberta. They are a hybrid of the Eurasian wild pig and domestic swine, originally brought to Canada in the late 20th century for livestock purposes. As some escaped captivity, they established feral populations primarily in the Prairie provinces, leading to growing concerns about their spread.

McKenzie noted that Alberta is currently working with twelve existing wild boar farms. These farms can choose to retain their wild boars under stricter conditions, or they can accept compensation from the province to exit the industry. The province is offering **$590 per boar** along with additional per-linear-foot compensation for fencing, with the overall management program estimated to cost around **$2.6 million**. This initiative comes as part of a broader budget of **$3 million** allocated for wild boar management in the province this fiscal year.

The changes have sparked a complex reaction within the pork industry. **Charlotte Shipp**, Alberta Pork’s industry programs manager, has acknowledged the challenging position of wild boar producers, who are also integral to the organization. “Wild boar producers are also producers for Alberta Pork, too, so it’s a difficult position to be in,” she said. Shipp highlighted that tightening restrictions and providing exit incentives represent positive steps towards managing the risks associated with wild boar farming.

The potential outbreak of African swine fever—harmless to humans but devastating to pig populations—has raised alarm in various regions. Recently, Spain reported an outbreak among wild boars, further emphasizing the urgency of control measures across Canada.

Tracking wild boar populations has proven difficult, as McKenzie pointed out, noting that traditional survey methods are often ineffective. “They’re very difficult to survey,” she said, adding that aerial surveys are hampered by the boars’ nocturnal activity and preference for dense forests.

**Ryan Brook**, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan who studies invasive wild boars, has long advocated for stricter regulations. He described the species as “incredibly destructive,” highlighting their tendency to uproot vegetation, a behavior known as rooting. Brook also noted that their lack of sweat glands drives them to wetlands, which can lead to water contamination with diseases.

Despite the new regulations, sport hunting was banned, a move Brook supports. He pointed out that hunting has not effectively reduced wild boar populations, partially due to their high reproductive rates, which can average two litters of six piglets each year.

The province’s measures reflect a growing recognition of the ecological challenges posed by wild boars. With concerns escalating about their potential spread and the associated risks to agriculture, Alberta’s new restrictions mark a significant effort to address the issue head-on.