Wild pigs kept at bay

The MNR is confident wild pigs are not established in Ontario — but that does not mean they aren’t frequently reported.

There were an average of nine unique reported sightings per month, between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. Of these, 30% were domesticated pigs and 28% were pot-bellied pigs. The MNR defines a wild pig as any pig outside of a fence, including escaped domesticated pigs and Eurasian wild boars.

The province’s control strategy launched with a pilot project in 2020 that asked the public to report wild pig sightings or trail camera images. MNR staff responded by attempting to trap reported animals.

In 2021, Ontario released its strategy, which included a prohibition on hunting wild boars.

“Wild pigs that are exposed to hunting pressure flee into refuge areas and learn to avoid humans,” MNR spokesperson Sarah Figueiredo explained. “In some jurisdictions where hunting seasons were introduced as an approach to manage wild pigs, the intentional release of wild pigs into new areas to create additional recreational hunting opportunities significantly accelerated population expansion.”

Since 2020, the MNR has removed 20 wild pigs and assisted in returning nine to captivity.

Another 187 wild pigs were removed or recaptured by residents or other partners. Most reports were of single animals.

OFAH on wild pigs

Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Fish and Wildlife Biologist Matthew Robbins said this approach has been effective at addressing the threat.

“As a province, we’ve been fortunate to witness many other Canadian and American jurisdictions address this issue over the years, taking note of what works and, just as important, what doesn’t,” he said. “For example, the decision to phase-out Eurasian wild boar farms and to prohibit wild pig hunting was based on the findings of decades of work across North America.”

“There is no evidence to suggest that wild pigs are established in Ontario,” said Figueiredo.

“However, reports of wild pigs in Ontario continue to be submitted, indicating that wild pigs could become established unless control actions are continued.”

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