In Manitoba, the fight to eradicate wild pigs is intensifying—and it all starts with one major hurdle: finding them.
While wild pigs, especially escaped Eurasian wild boar, may seem like a rural anomaly, they present a very real and growing risk to agriculture, biodiversity, and disease control. These animals damage native ecosystems, devour the eggs of ground-nesting birds, threaten endangered species, and act as potential carriers for diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF)—a catastrophic risk to North America’s pork industry.
Dr. Wayne Lees, Coordinator of Squeal on Pigs Manitoba, says that although the province receives up to 150 wild pig sightings a year, pinpointing and tracking the animals is a far more complex task.
“Our biggest challenge is actually finding the pigs,” says Dr. Lees. “Public reports are vital, but to be effective, we combine those with thermal imaging drones, baiting stations, trail cameras, and even water sampling for wild pig DNA.”
This combination of community engagement and emerging technology is essential in dealing with such a mobile and elusive species. The Spruce Woods region, located southeast of Brandon, is currently the epicenter of the problem and the main target for 2025 eradication efforts. A smaller population exists along the northern shore of Lake Manitoba but poses less of a threat—for now.
The stakes are high. Beyond environmental damage, the introduction of ASF through wild pigs could cripple the Canadian pork sector, bringing trade, production, and biosecurity to a halt.
Dr. Lees emphasizes the need for continued public participation. Every sighting matters, and producers or residents who suspect wild pig activity are encouraged to report it at squealonpigsmb.org.
At Swine Web, we’re committed to spotlighting issues that directly impact producers and the long-term sustainability of our industry. Wild pigs aren’t just a rural nuisance—they’re a looming threat we can’t afford to ignore.
