Source: LiveScience
Feral “super pigs” in Canada, a mix of domestic swine and wild boar, may soon invade the northern U.S., according to a new study. Introduced to Canada in the late 1980s, these pigs thrived despite harsh winters and have high reproductive rates and mobility. Study co-author Ryan Brook from the University of Saskatchewan warned that these pigs could cross into North and South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota, posing a significant threat to agriculture and ecosystems.
They cause extensive damage by rooting and consuming a wide range of wildlife. Researchers tracked 22 pigs with GPS collars to map their expansion, finding they favored mixed habitats with wetlands, forests, and crops. Expansion is likely near bodies of water like Fort Peck Lake and Devils Lake. To mitigate the risk, measures such as planting shorter crops and erecting fences are suggested. The situation is urgent, with some pig populations only days away from the U.S. border.