A potential feral-swine incident in north-central Montana has turned into an unexpected success story for both animal-health officials and local communities.
After roughly 100 uncontained pigs were discovered near Malta, Montana, state and federal authorities quickly stepped in to prevent the animals from establishing a feral population—while ensuring the meat would go to good use.
Wildlife Services, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was first called to the area on a suspected bear complaint. Instead, investigators found hoofprints and scat consistent with swine activity. The Montana Department of Livestock immediately initiated a containment and trapping effort to prevent potential disease spread and environmental damage.
“This situation just kind of got out of control,” said Dr. Tahnee Szymanski, Montana State Veterinarian. “Domestic swine, left to their own devices for a couple of generations, actually revert back to feral behavior very quickly. This is a good reminder that a feral population could develop almost anywhere.”
Montana has prohibited the importation or possession of feral swine since 2015, a move designed to avoid the significant crop, wetland, and wildlife damage seen in other regions such as Alberta and Saskatchewan. Feral swine can also carry brucellosis, which is transmissible to humans.
In this case, the animals were traced back to a family farm affected by a recent death, leaving pigs unmanaged for an extended period. Working together, Wildlife Services and state officials began trapping the animals earlier this month.
Rather than wasting the meat, the animals were processed through Producer Partnership, a USDA-inspected nonprofit facility located between Big Timber and Livingston. The organization transforms donated livestock into protein for food banks, schools, and community programs.
Producer Partnership president and founder Matt Pierson estimates the Montana Food Bank Network will receive 8,000 to 14,000 pounds of pork as a result of the effort.
“Our hope through this partnership is that people realize there’s a more amicable, better way to solve these issues without just going in and shooting everything,” Pierson said. “It helps solve a problem for the state and puts all that meat into the food bank.”
Trapping operations are continuing, with another 30 to 45 animals expected to be collected.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the fine line between domestic and feral swine populations, the ongoing vigilance required from livestock owners, and the potential for collaboration between animal-health authorities and food-relief networks.
What began as a containment issue has become a model of biosecurity, resourcefulness, and community benefit—a reminder that proactive management protects both the swine industry and local families.
