Feral Wild Boar Killed in Northern Saskatchewan Signals Growing Invasive Threat
Images from surveillance video of wild boars moving around at night. (Submitted by Ryan Brook)
A wild boar recently killed above the tree line in north-central Saskatchewan is raising alarms among experts who say the invasive species is steadily advancing into the Boreal forest.
Ryan Brook, a University of Saskatchewan professor and lead of the Canadian Wild Pig Research Project, calls the spread of feral pigs “a disaster in slow motion.”
“A tsunami of wild pigs has been moving north every year,” Brook said, warning that these animals are extremely destructive, hard to detect, and nearly impossible to control once established.
The latest sighting occurred near Weyakwin, about 285 km north of Saskatoon, where a wild boar was shot by the son of Jarret Nelson, a member of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, while checking a trap line. The incident was first reported by larongeNOW.
Wild boars — also known as feral pigs — are aggressive, adaptable, and travel in groups called “sounders.” They are omnivorous, consuming everything from berries to small mammals and even young deer.
“They’re ecological train wrecks,” Brook said. “They’ll eat mice, ground-nesting bird eggs, goslings, ducklings — even adult whitetail deer.”
The species has long been a concern in the Prairies, but sightings this far north are rare. However, trappers like Barry Carriere, president of the Northern Saskatchewan Trappers Association, say the threat is growing.
“They reproduce really fast,” Carriere said. “If we don’t act soon, they’ll take over the North.”
Carriere plans to raise the issue at the association’s annual general meeting this spring.
In response to the growing threat, Saskatchewan banned new wild boar farms as of January 1 and implemented stricter regulations for existing operations — including increased surveillance, record-keeping, and mandatory inspections. As of mid-2024, there were 15 wild boar farms in the province.
Since launching its feral boar control program in 2015, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation has removed 1,000 pigs and confirmed 10 to 15 sightings annually over the past five years.
Beyond ecological destruction, wild boars also pose health risks. They can contaminate water sources and spread disease. In the U.S., they cause an estimated $2.5 billion in damages each year.
Brook warns hikers and rural residents to stay alert. With wild boars reaching up to 300 pounds and armed with sharp tusks, encounters can be dangerous.
“If you see signs of pigs, leave the area immediately,” he said. “And if you come face to face with one, get to safety as quickly as possible — a vehicle or building is best. Pepper spray is also recommended.”
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