FERAL PIG UP-DATE

I contacted Dr Erin Koen, Research Scientist – Wildlife Landscape EcologyWildlife Research & Monitoring Section, Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, in Peterboro for a feral swine up-date. Dr. Koen informed me that In January 2020 staff from the New York USDA came to Ontario to present a two day workshop to teach MNRF staff about New York’s effective wild pig elimination program. This workshop occurred before the virus hit the fan and masks were necessary to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 The ministry has been working on a pilot study to determine the presence of invasive wild pigs based on sightings that have been reported by vigilant Ontarians from across the province. As part of the pilot project, nine wild pigs have successfully been removed from the environment so far. The ministry has also learned that for several of the high-priority sightings that were investigated, pigs had returned to their enclosures, or were otherwise recaptured or removed.

 Ministry staff are working cooperatively with local residents, the agricultural community, and municipal staff to detect, bait, trap, and remove wild pigs from the environment. Of the nine pigs that have been removed, one was an escaped domestic pig, seven were piglets that were born in the wild, and one was a Eurasian wild boar where ownership could not be determined. In all cases, the most appropriate method for removing wild pigs from the environment was assessed on an individual basis. In one instance, a wild pig was humanely euthanized. Research staff took measurements and have preserved tissue for further analysis.

“We recognize the importance of the prevention, early detection, rapid response, and eradication of invasive species. That’s why we have been taking action to prevent invasive wild pig populations from becoming established in our province.” (Koen)

  The pilot project includes on-the-ground follow up of reported sightings in areas where reports have suggested a high likelihood that wild pigs are present, engaging with local residents, and setting trail cameras, all to help the ministry gain a better understanding of possible Ontario-specific management approaches.

 “Through the use of trail cameras, we’re aiming to confirm the presence of wild pigs that have been reported. The most appropriate method for removing wild pigs from the environment will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Where necessary, the ministry is prepared to trap and humanely euthanize wild pigs when ownership cannot be determined.

 We also gathered feedback through the Environmental Registry on a proposal to regulate wild pigs under the Invasive Species Act. Officially regulating wild pigs as an invasive species would give the province more tools to combat these animals.” (Koen)

The ministry continues to work with partners and is consulting with other jurisdictions across North America to learn about their invasive wild pig elimination programs.

 “The ministry asks the public to continue to report wild pig sightings to help us understand the locations and number of invasive wild pigs in the province. Sightings can be emailed to wildpigs@ontario.ca or submitted to the iNaturalist Ontario Wild Pig Reporting webpage.

Counter intuitively one shouldn’t shoot for gunfire makes other pigs in the group, called a sounder, flee, and hunted pigs which are quite smart and have a keen sense of smell are quick to learn how to avoid hunters. They’ll roam further if someone shoots at them, plus they become nocturnal when hunted, and thus harder to track.”

Feral pigs inflict an estimated $2.5 billion worth of damage in the U.S. each year, impacting  crops, attacking calves, lambs, pregnant livestock, and destroying native plants, animals, and sensitive habitats. A feral pig can host at least 30 viral and bacterial diseases, along with 37 parasites. If African swine fever were to arrive in North America, feral pigs could be pivotal in spreading this devastating and deadly disease. “African Swine Fever is of particular concern at this time and although it does not affect humans, it is a highly contagious viral disease lethal to pigs, including pigs on farms. To date, it has not been detected in North America but it is spreading throughout Asia and parts of Europe.” (Koen)

Pigs go wild by escaping their farm enclosures. “Any pig outside of a fence is a problem,” says Jeremy Downe, invasive species policy adviser with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). “With all invasive species issues, education is key,” says Downe, who was part of the team that created an information web page with links to report sightings, plus one to the iNaturalist web site, where people can upload pictures and comment.

According to one article, an estimated 400 wild pigs roam wild throughout Ontario. As Ontario’s land mass is approximately 415,446 square miles (1.076 million km2) if the pigs are practicing social distancing that could result in one pig for every 1039 square miles. Tongue-in-cheek aside, Dr. Koen doesn’t know where that number originated. Many people might see the same pig, if a pig returns to its enclosure that is rarely reported, the MNRF data base dates to 2011 and there is no telling if those pigs are still around, the highest number of reported sightings coincided with an increased media reporting in 2019, and so on.

Most recently, in 2020 there were 76 sightings but only one was confirmed as an Eurasian wild boar as earlier mentioned. “Of the 76 sightings this year, over half were of a single pig, 22% were a few adult pigs, 14 % were reported dead and 9% of sightings were of wild pigs with young. These numbers are more indicative of recently escaped pigs separated by lots of space – not a breeding population. However, pigs have fast reproductive rates and can spread disease and cause damage to agriculture and the environment.” (Koen)

 

RAINING LEAVES

By the time you read this the fall colours may well have peaked and therefore passed. During the summer-like weekend of September 26/27, thanks to the wind, leaves were literally raining down upon us and many trees had already climaxed in colour. Which may well pique those not fortunate to live in the North Country and have targeted Thanksgiving for their annual fall colour excursions.

AND FINALLY… What’s wrong with this sentence?

“I wouldn’t recommend dogs for northern ruffs because of their reluctance to fly.”

 Photo – a wild boar – courtesy of the MNRF.