The MNR is assured wild pigs aren’t established in Ontario — however that doesn’t imply they aren’t ceaselessly reported.
There have been a median of 9 distinctive reported sightings per thirty days, between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. Of those, 30% had been domesticated pigs and 28% had been pot-bellied pigs. The MNR defines a wild pig as any pig exterior of a fence, together with escaped domesticated pigs and Eurasian wild boars.
The province’s management technique launched with a pilot challenge in 2020 that requested the general public to report wild pig sightings or path digital camera pictures. MNR employees responded by making an attempt to lure reported animals.
In 2021, Ontario launched its technique, which included a prohibition on looking wild boars.
“Wild pigs which might be uncovered to looking prespositive flee into refuge areas and study to keep away from people,” MNR spokesperson Sarah Figueiredo defined. “In some jurisdictions the place looking seasons had been launched as an method to manage wild pigs, the intentional launch of untamed pigs into new areas to create extra leisure looking alternatives considerably accelerated inhabitants enlargement.”
Since 2020, the MNR has eliminated 20 wild pigs and assisted in returning 9 to captivity.
One other 187 wild pigs had been eliminated or recaptured by residents or different companions. Most experiences had been of single animals.
OFAH on wild pigs
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Fish and Wildlife Biologist Matthew Robbins stated this method has been efficient at addressing the menace.
“As a province, we’ve been lucky to witness many different Canadian and American jurisdictions deal with this subject through the years, paying attention to what works and, simply as vital, what doesn’t,” he stated. “For instance, the choice to phase-out Eurasian wild boar farms and to ban wild pig looking was based mostly on the findings of a long time of labor throughout North America.”
“There isn’t a proof to counsel that wild pigs are established in Ontario,” stated Figueiredo.
“Nevertheless, experiences of untamed pigs in Ontario continue to be submitted, indicating that wild pigs may turn into established until management actions are continued.”
