Updated animal control by-law prepares for wild boars

By Mickey Dumont

While not yet wreaking havoc and destruction in the MD of Willow Creek, its animal control by-law is being updated so a plan is in place to deal with wild boars (feral pigs) should they migrate into the municipal district.
Chief administrative officer Derrick Krizsan told the agricultural service board (ASB) at its Sept. 25 meeting, “We should have something (animal control by-law review) by the November meeting. This may be a by-law you want to engage the public more on.”
The animal control by-law is being reviewed which could include a section specifically dealing with the impending problem of wild boars.
“We don’t want them in the MD,” director of agricultural services Carla Preachuk said.
Eurasian wild boars were introduced in Alberta in the 1980s as livestock.
Escaped wild boars have hybridized with domestic pigs and are a problem throughout Canada.
The largest populations are found in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association says the wild boars pose a serious health risk to domestic pig herds.
“Wild boar can be dangerous to both people and the environment,” the veterinarian group says. “They are known for their destructive feeding habits, which can damage ecosystems and agricultural land. They can also spread diseases to people and other animals.”
Wild boar are known to carry a variety of parasites, viruses, and diseases, including African Swine Fever, Hepatitis E virus, brucellosis and tuberculosis.
“These health related issues can be transmitted to domestic livestock, wildlife, and even humans,” the veterinarian group says. “If introduced to domestic swine herds, it would have a detrimental effect on pig production and result in severe financial losses to the pork industry in Alberta.”
Alberta’s wild boar regulations state, “Wild boar at large are an agricultural pest. Under the Agricultural Pests Act, land owners are required to control or destroy pests and prevent them from becoming established on their land.”
When wild boar are in captivity, they are considered livestock.
Though producers are now compensated through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation’s Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, producers are worried.
“There’s been quite an initiative over the last few years” Preachuk said. “Alberta Invasive Species Council along with Alberta Pork Producers are pushing an awareness campaign called ‘Squeal on Pigs’. We’re trying to locate wild boars and deal with them.”