Invasion of swine: wild pig hordes amass at Canadian border
Feral pigs, a hybrid species between
domesticated pigs and true wild varieties, are gathering en masse on the Canadian-Montana border.
Weighing between 125 and 250 pounds, but sometimes breaking the 400-pound mark,
wild pigs are incredibly dangerous due to their aggressive nature,
speed and pronounced, sharp tusks, according to Texas Wildlife and Park. They have
also been dubbed “ecological
train wrecks,” causing soil erosion, water-quality degradation and crop
destruction among other issues. Sexually maturing at a young age and producing
six or more piglets in a litter, the species has enjoyed a year-over-year
growth rate of 9 percent in Canada over the last 27 years. “We don’t want them
here as you can probably guess,” said John Vore of Montana, Fish Wildlife and
Parks. Hunting won’t stop them—there has never been a successful, human-led
eradication of feral swine anywhere on Earth. The species ranks among
the top 25 threats to the environment in Western states. In preparation for the
potential assault from the invasive species, FWP
has asked Montanans to “Squeal on Pigs” by alerting officials to their
location and numbers. Feral pigs have spread to 38 states and several Canadian
provinces.
