About 14 wild boars have been spotted roaming the North Pickering area since Nov. 5. According to the City of Pickering, these pigs are Eurasian Wild Boars, a group of which are called a sounder. They were introduced into Canada in the 1980s and 1990s to diversify farming.
Escaped or released animals make up today’s wild population.
The Ministry of Natural Resources is actively investigating the Eurasian Wild Boar sightings in North Pickering.
If you encounter a Eurasian Wild Boar, keep your distance and report the sighting to wildpigs@ontario.ca or 1.833.933.2355.
Visit https://t.co/KdJl8WV1Nx pic.twitter.com/bmS9rAl2uT
— City of Pickering (@CityofPickering) November 15, 2021
Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry states that wild pigs are an invasive species, and could have a negative impact on native wildlife and ecosystems. For one, they have high reproductive potential, which means that populations can increase in number and spread rapidly, making their impacts more severe (e.g., by preying upon native plants and wildlife; competing with native wildlife for food, water, and space; spreading disease to wildlife, etc.).
“When wild pigs are exposed to hunting pressure, they flee into new areas and learn to avoid humans. They are quick to reproduce, and populations are known to rebound quickly. This means that hunting for wild pigs is not an effective way of controlling their spread,” the Ministry’s website states.
As such, the Eurasian wild boar will be “phased out” of Ontario by 2024 to protect the province’s natural environment and domestic pig industry.
According to the Ministry—as of Jan. 1, 2022, the import, possession, transport, propagation, lease, trade, buying, and sale of Eurasian wild boar and their hybrids is prohibited.
Anyone who possesses Eurasian wild boar (or their hybrids) on Jan. 1, 2022, is eligible for a two-year exception period (until Dec. 31, 2023), provided the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry is notified by March 1, 2022.
Who knew, now wild Boars in the Pickering/Brougham area. Sighting of 14 of these on sd line 22. They are being tracked for culling by MNR. If you see them call MNR immediately. pic.twitter.com/ZlNGogjbg8
— Jeff Steiner (@ScoutingFields) November 10, 2021
The appearance of wild pigs can vary substantially, but be on the lookout for the following features: long snouts, large tusks, wedge-shaped heads, coarse hair, length: 3.5–5 ft, height: 2–3 ft, weight: anywhere from 30–420 lbs.
Residents are advised to report any sightings, to keep a safe distance from wild pigs, and to keep their dogs on leash (and all other animals indoors).
Anyone who spots a wild pig or, who has information about a sighting (dead or alive), should contact wildpigs@ontario.ca | Tel: 1-833-933-2355. Visit the Ontario Wild Pig Reporting page for more information and for other pig sightings.
Click here for more on Toronto’s most feared wildlife.
