Invasive wild pigs are considered an issue in Canada because they can cause significant ecological and economic damage.
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- Ecological Impacts: When wild pigs are introduced into a new ecosystem, they can reproduce rapidly and outcompete native species for resources such as food and water. They’re rooting and wallowing behaviours can be destructive to landscapes and aquatic ecosystems, by disturbing sediments and destroying the habitats of fish and other aquatic species. This can lead to a decline in biodiversity and even the extinction of some native species.
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- Economic Impacts: Wild pigs also threaten the agricultural industry with their potential to spread disease to livestock and their destructive impact on agricultural crops and infrastructure including fences and water systems. Wild pigs can carry diseases that can be transmitted to livestock and humans.
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- Human Safety Impacts: In addition, wild pigs can be a danger to human safety; as they can be aggressive and territorial and have the potential to carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans.
Overall, the presence of invasive wild pigs in Canada poses a threat to the environment, agriculture, and human well-being, which is why efforts are being made to control and eradicate their populations.
For more information, or to report feral pigs you can find more information at Squeal On Pigs! – Canadian Council on Invasive Species.
