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Dr. Ryan Brook [email protected]
www.facebook.com/WildPigResearch
Canada’s Wild Pig ProblemAcknowledgements
• United States Department of Agriculture• Ryan Powers, Ryan Miller, Kurt Vercauteren, Dale Nolte, Michael Tabak, Kim
Pepin…
• Saskatchewan Fish and Wildlife Development Fund• University of Saskatchewan & Cyril Capling Fund• Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities• Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport• Moose Mountain Eradication Team • Shelby Adams, Raea Gooding
Wild Pig vs. Wild BoarWild Boar are native to Europe and AsiaMost domestic wild boar farms were encouraged to be crossed with domestic pigs to increase body size and reproductive rate– called ‘wild pigs’ or ‘feral swine’.
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Current Research Program Objectives1. Characterize genetics of wild pigs in Western
Canada “In a Pig’s Ear” Citizen Science
Free Ranging ‘Domestic Pigs’ &‘Re-domesticated feral swine’
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211 kg (465 pounds)
293 kg (645 pounds)
Current Research Program Objectives1. Genetics of wild pigs in Western Canada.2. Wild pig reproductive rates, timing, frequency.
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Reproductive RatesMelfort Area:
1. In Feb 2017 recaptured all GPS collared wild pigs from 2016 and all of their sounder group mates, n =43
2. Average pregnant wild pig 73.8 kg/163 pounds (range 46-130 kg)
3. average of 5.6 fetuses per pregnant female(range 4-7).
4. Birthing occurred Feb. to May (probablycontinuous)
Reproductive Rates
Current Research Program Objectives1. Genetics of wild pigs in Western Canada.2. Wild pig reproductive rates, timing, frequency.3. Movements, home range, dispersal, crop types
used, effect of snow.
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Reproductive Rates
Wild Pig Behaviour Wild Pig Behaviour
Wild Pig Behaviour Current Research Program Objectives1. Genetics of wild pigs in Western Canada.2. Wild pig reproductive rates, timing, frequency.3. Movements, home range, dispersal, crop types
used, effect of snow.4. Evaluating risks and impacts of wild pigs.
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Risks and Impacts Risks and Impacts
Risks and Impacts Risks and Impacts
Risks and Impacts Testing Wild Pigs for Parasites and Disease
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Bacterial and Viral DiseasesDiseases
Present in the U.S.
Wild Boar Reservoir
Risk to the Industry (Economic)
Bovine Tuberculosis X ? High
Pseudorabies X X High
Swine Brucellosis X X High
Swine Influenza X X Moderate-Low
PRRS High
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea ? Moderate-Low
Porcine Pavovirus Moderate-Low
Vesicular Stomatitis X ? Moderate-Low
Trichinellosis X X High
Leptospirosis X X High
Classical Swine Fever X High
Foot and Mouth Disease High
Current Research Program Objectives1. Genetics of wild pigs in Western Canada.2. Wild pig reproductive rates, timing, frequency.3. Movements, home range, dispersal, crop types
used, effect of snow.4. Evaluating risks and impacts of wild pigs.5. Developing a baseline map of wild pig
distribution in Canada and within Saskatchewan.
Data Collection• In-person interviews with wildlife professionals
(biologists, cons. officers, ag extension staff).• Snowball sampling interviews with rural people
at agriculture and wildlife meetings.• Citizen Science –Trail camera photos
Canadian Distribution 1990-2000
Canadian Distribution 2001-2010 Canadian Distribution 2011-2016
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Saskatchewan Distribution 2011-2016 Current Research Program Objectives1. Genetics of wild pigs in Western Canada.2. Wild pig reproductive rates, timing, frequency.3. Movements, home range, dispersal, crop types
used, effect of snow.4. Evaluating risks and impacts of wild pigs.5. Developing a baseline map of wild pig
distribution in Canada and within Saskatchewan.
6. Evaluating Domestic Wild Boar as the original and on-going source of free-ranging wild pigs.
Temporal Trends in Domestic Wild Boar Production in Canada
Spatial Trends in Domestic Wild Boar Production in Canada
2001
Spatial Trends in Domestic Wild Boar Production in Canada
2011
Provincial/Territorial ManagementProvince
Wild Pigs
Domestic Wild Boar
PopulationMonitoring
Management Plan
British Columbia Yes Yes No YesAlberta Yes Yes No YesSaskatchewan Yes Yes No ??Manitoba Yes Yes No YesOntario Yes Yes No ??Quebec Yes Yes No ??Atlantic Provinces No Yes No NoYukon No Yes No No
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Provincial ManagementProvince
Wild Pigs
Domestic Wild Boar
PopulationMonitoring
Management Plan
British Columbia Yes Yes No YesAlberta Yes Yes No YesSaskatchewan Yes Yes ~ ??Manitoba Yes Yes No YesOntario Yes Yes No ??Quebec Yes Yes No ??Atlantic Provinces No Yes No NoYukon No Yes No No
Population control efforts: - generally little focus on whole sounder removal
Provincial ManagementProvince
Wild Pigs
Domestic Wild Boar
PopulationMonitoring
Management Plan
British Columbia Yes Yes No YesAlberta Yes Yes No YesSaskatchewan Yes Yes ~ ??Manitoba Yes Yes No YesOntario Yes Yes No ??Quebec Yes Yes No ??Atlantic Provinces No Yes No NoYukon No Yes No No
Population control efforts: - generally little focus on whole sounder removal- lack of interprovincial/international coordination
Provincial ManagementProvince
Wild Pigs
Domestic Wild Boar
PopulationMonitoring
Management Plan
British Columbia Yes Yes No YesAlberta Yes Yes No YesSaskatchewan Yes Yes ~ ??Manitoba Yes Yes No YesOntario Yes Yes No ??Quebec Yes Yes No ??Atlantic Provinces No Yes No NoYukon No Yes No No
Population control efforts: - generally little focus on whole sounder removal- lack of interprovincial/international coordination- on-going questions of responsibility – are wild pigs livestock or
wildlife?
Provincial ManagementProvince
Wild Pigs
Domestic Wild Boar
PopulationMonitoring
Management Plan
British Columbia Yes Yes No YesAlberta Yes Yes No YesSaskatchewan Yes Yes ~ ??Manitoba Yes Yes No YesOntario Yes Yes No ??Quebec Yes Yes No ??Atlantic Provinces No Yes No NoYukon No Yes No No
Population control efforts: - generally little focus on whole sounder removal- lack of interprovincial/international coordination- on-going questions of responsibility – are wild pigs livestock or
wildlife?- Assumption that sport hunting can control wild pig populations
Provincial ManagementProvince
Wild Pigs
Domestic Wild Boar
PopulationMonitoring
Management Plan
British Columbia Yes Yes No YesAlberta Yes Yes No YesSaskatchewan Yes Yes ~ ??Manitoba Yes Yes No YesOntario Yes Yes No ??Quebec Yes Yes No ??Atlantic Provinces No Yes No NoYukon No Yes No No
Population control efforts: - generally little focus on whole sounder removal- lack of interprovincial/international coordination- on-going questions of responsibility – are wild pigs livestock or
wildlife?- Assumption that sport hunting can control wild pig populations.- Generally low involvement of hunting & environmental groups.
National Management• Livestock Traceability Program included domestic wild boar
on July 1, 2015, including ear tags.
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Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success? Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
• Communication and engagement
Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
• Communication and engagement
• Research and monitoring
Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
• Communication and engagement
• Research and monitoring
• Judas Pigs
Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
• Communication and engagement
• Research and monitoring
• Judas Pigs
• Whole Sounder Removal
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Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
• Communication and engagement
• Research and monitoring
• Judas Pigs
• Whole Sounder Removal
• Policy changes regarding land access
Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
• Communication and engagement
• Research and monitoring
• Judas Pigs
• Whole Sounder Removal
• Policy changes regarding land access
• Disease testing
Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
• Communication and engagement
• Research and monitoring
• Judas Pigs
• Whole Sounder Removal
• Policy changes regarding land access
• Disease testing
• On-farm risk assessment and mitigation
Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
• Communication and engagement
• Research and monitoring
• Judas Pigs
• Whole Sounder Removal
• Policy changes regarding land access
• Disease testing
• On-farm risk assessment
• Sport hunting…..
Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
• Communication and engagement
• Research and monitoring
• Judas Pigs
• Whole Sounder Removal
• Policy changes regarding land access
• Disease testing
• On-farm risk assessment
• Sport hunting…..
• Trapping
Wild Pigs: What is Required for Success?• Leadership
• Communication and engagement
• Research and monitoring
• Judas Pigs
• Whole Sounder Removal
• Policy changes regarding land access
• Disease testing
• On-farm risk assessment
• Sport hunting…..
• Trapping
• Baiting, feeding, crop damage... BAN HUNTING?