Recent wild pig sightings in Pickering are being treated “very seriously” according to the city.
Photos of pigs in areas north of Pickering are circulating on social media, raising questions and concerns from residents.
Lindsey Narraway, Pickering City Animal Services Supervisor, confirms that officials are aware of a group of about 14 pigs, believed to be Eurasian wild boars.
Wild pigs are not native to Ontario. They can have a negative impact on the natural environment as well as the agricultural industry, ”explains Narraway. “We do not believe that these pigs were born in the wild, we do not know where they came from.”
The City of Pickering is working closely with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, which is in the process of trapping the pigs so they can be removed.
The province defines a wild pig as “any pig that is not contained or under the physical control of a person.”
This includes domestic pigs, pot-bellied pigs, wild boars, and Eurasian hybrids.
Why are wild pigs a threat? The province says they compete with native wildlife for food, prey on native plants and wildlife, damage crops and grasslands, and cause erosion and water quality problems by trampling and wallowing.
Wild pigs can also carry and transmit diseases that can be contracted by wildlife, livestock, pets, and humans.
The ministry 2020-21 Annual Report on Invasive Wild Pig Sightings says it is important to address pig problems early.
“Given the ecological and economic risks associated with wild pigs and the challenges associated with eradication once they are established, early and aggressive action to eliminate wild pigs is profitable in the long run.”
The report notes that Ontario saw an average of nine unique wild pig sightings per month between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.
This fall, the province launched a new strategy to address the threat of invading wild pigs.
Action items include regulating wild pigs as an invasive species, banning wild pig hunting, phasing out possession of Eurasian wild boars and their hybrids in captivity, and developing communications to encourage public reporting of wild pigs.
Durham residents who see wild pigs are asked to note the date, time and location and to report the sighting, but do not get too close.
“Keep your distance. Wild pigs are like any other wild animal, definitely don’t go near them. Don’t try to feed them,” Narraway says.
Wild pig sightings can be reported to [email protected] or 1-833-933-2355.
Reference-www.thestar.com