Hogs Gone Wild – Potential for invasive feral pigs in the Shuswap following wildfires.
Photo Caption: Feral Pigs on the loose. Photo: Dr Ryan Brook
The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) is encouraging everyone to be aware of domestic pigs that may have escaped captivity during wildfire season this past summer in the Columbia Shuswap region. Escaped pigs can establish wild populations and have negative environmental, economic, and health impacts.
What are feral pigs?
Feral pigs are a combination of wild boars, escaped domestic pigs, and hybrid offspring of the two. The varied genetics of feral pigs gives rise to a wide range of appearances. They are light reddish brown to white to black in colouring and have coarse, dark hair on their bodies. Established populations of feral pigs are not present in BC, but are known in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
Wildfires allowing for pigs to escape
The summer of 2023 saw many wildfires in the Shuswap region. These fires destroyed fencing and likely allowed for pigs to escape captivity. The number of pigs still in the wild following this outbreak is unknown, which raises concern for the possibility of feral pig populations beginning.
Impacts of Feral Pigs
Feral pigs threaten wildlife through predation and decrease biodiversity by outcompeting with native species. Disruptive rooting and wallowing behaviours increase erosion in aquatic environments. They cause major economic losses through crop and infrastructure damage, and transmit diseases to humans, livestock, and wildlife.
What can be done?
Report any sightings of wild pigs or pig activity such as tracks, wallows, and rubbing to the CSISS through the website, or with the Report Invasives mobile app. Do not hunt feral pigs, this causes them to spread out and form new groups that learn to avoid humans. Other management steps include more fencing, and vaccination of farm animals to prevent the spread of diseases from feral pigs. Never release captive pigs into the wild.
The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention, management and reduction of invasive species in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. CSISS is thankful for the generous support of the Columbia Basin Trust, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, the Province of BC, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the Shuswap Watershed Council, and other funders.
References
https://canadainvasives.ca/wild-pigs/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/feral-pigs-wildfire-damage-1.6966203
