Canada's intelligent and destructive wild boars spotted miles from United States border

Photo byEd van duijnonUnsplash

The prairie provinces of Canada have an issue with a wild boar/pig hybrid dubbed a "super pig" that can withstand freezing cold temperatures. These animals were initially bred in the 1980s to diversify local hog stock. However, a significant number escaped or were released into the wild when the market for this hybrid died out in the 1990s.

Over the years they've expanded their territory until they've been spotted miles from the US border. Soon, they may be heading South into Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and Michigan.

The wild pig population is difficult to control because they are "prolific breeders, with sows producing around six piglets per year," according to Narwhal Magazine.

These animals are large and can do tremendous damage to local wildlife. According to an expert in Field and Stream Magazine:

Wild hogs feed on anything. They gobble up tons and tons of goslings and ducklings in the spring. They can take down a whitetail deer, even an adult. It’s become clear that they’re threatening our whitetail deer, elk, and especially, waterfowl.

As if that weren't enough, wild hogs can be hazardous to wild plants and farmers' crops as well. The Invasive Species Council of BC says "wild pig rooting and trampling destroys seedlings and roots of native flora and 'creates ideal conditions for invasive plants to colonize the disturbed soil.'

Super pigs continue to expand their territory in the prairie provinces. A Field and Stream expert indicates: "We have already documented pig occurrences less than 10 miles from the U.S. border. There is no physical or biological boundary at the U.S.-Canada border. There is hardly any kind of fencing to speak of. There’s a real risk of pigs moving south into the U.S."

Unlike the wild boars in Southern states, these super pigs have been bred to withstand difficult winters. They will actually tunnel under snow to keep warm in extreme cold.

The Canadian provinces have been working on strategies to manage the wild pig population with varying levels of success. So far trapping has been more successful than hunting programs. A Canadian expert offers this chilling explanation as to why:

If it comes down to it, they will win. Because they’re as smart as us. But unlike us, they’re fearless, and they’re dangerous, and nothing can stop them. If people are hunting them, if they are using a spear, they have to have some sort of barrier on them because the boar, even if it has been stabbed, will keep coming at you.