FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2025
Elora, ON – Animal Health Canada (AHC) has released the first collaborative report that highlights locations of wild pigs in Canada and details the efforts of participating provinces to help prevent wild pig populations from becoming established, and to manage existing wild pigs and remove them from the landscape.
The 2023 Canadian Invasive Wild Pig Report summarizes data that represent areas of established wild pigs in participating provinces from 2021 to 2023, locations of verified reports of uncontained pigs in 2023, and on-site field activities conducted by provincial control programs and their collaborators in 2023. It encompasses all wild pig types, including escaped domestic pigs, Eurasian wild boar, and their hybrids.
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario’s wild pig control programs contributed data to the report, with Animal Health Canada coordinating this initiative.
"Wild pigs pose serious risks to our ecosystems, wildlife habitats, crops, and even human safety. They also serve as potential reservoirs for diseases that threaten both wildlife and livestock, with African swine fever and foot and mouth disease being the most pressing concern," says Dr. Leigh Rosengren, Industry co-chair on the Animal Health Canada Board of Directors. "Addressing this issue requires coordinated action. The 2023 Canadian Invasive Wild Pig Report highlights how participating provinces are coming together to track national progress in preventing established wild pig populations, and managing and removing this invasive species from Canada."
The report will be updated regularly to ensure it reflects the most up-to-date information available. Future editions will track changes in wild pig distribution and measure the progress of prevention and removal efforts. Other provinces and territories in Canada have also been engaged, and researchers involved in wild pig studies in Canada are invited to connect with their provincial wild pig control programs to contribute to future reports.
Members of the public are encouraged to report wild pig sightings to their provincial control programs. To report a wild pig, contact a local wild pig control program in your area.
The 2023 Canadian Invasive Wild Pig Report is an initiative under Canada’s Invasive Wild Pig Strategy, which works to coordinate and support regional prevention, management and removal efforts. It is one of many initiatives benefiting from the collaboration between federal, provincial, and territorial governments and the pig industry to proactively enhance African swine fever prevention and enhance response planning and preparedness in Canada.
Financial support for the report was provided through the AgriAssurance Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Animal Health Canada is the only national organization that brings together industry, federal, provincial, and territorial partners to provide collaborative guidance on a cohesive, functional, and responsive farmed animal health and welfare system in Canada.
For further general information on the report and the work taking place:
Tanya Frye
Communications Director
Animal Health Canada
(613) 302-2671
tfrye@animalhealthcanada.ca
For questions on provincial wild pig programs:
Manitoba Pork Council:
Joey Dearborn
Communications Manager
Manitoba Pork
(204) 235-2303
jdearborn@manitobapork.com
Government of Saskatchewan:
Ashley Gristwood
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
Media.Inquiries@scic.ca
Government of Alberta:
Refer to the following page for Alberta media: https://www.alberta.ca/news-spokesperson-contacts