The Rise of the Super Pigs: How a Canadian Experiment Gone Wrong Could Affect the United States

The U.S. is facing a potential invasion of feral “super pigs” from Canada, a problem that has been brewing for decades and could have serious consequences for the environment, agriculture, and public health. Just like the name entails, these pigs have seemingly superhero like qualities compared to their normal counterparts.

What is a Super Pig, and What Super Powers Do They Have?

Super Pigs are from from ordinary, they are a hybrid of wild boar and domestic swine that can grow up to 400 pounds, reproduce rapidly, and survive harsh winters. They are also highly intelligent, adaptable, and destructive, posing a threat to native wildlife, crops, and livestock. They are considered so much of a threat that measures are being taken to prevent them from crossing the border into the United States.

The Origin of the Super Pigs

The super pigs are the result of an experiment gone wrong in Canada, where farmers were encouraged to raise wild boar for meat in the 1980s. However, the market collapsed in the early 2000s, and some farmers decided to release their animals into the wild. These escaped boars interbred with domestic pigs, creating a hybrid that inherited the best traits of both species.

The super pigs have the fur, tusks, and resilience of the boar, and the size, fertility, and omnivorous diet of the pig. They can have up to 12 piglets per litter, twice a year, and their population can double in four months. They can also survive in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius, thanks to their thick coat of hair.

The Impact of the Super Pigs

The super pigs have been spreading across Canada, especially in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, where they have been sighted in over 1,000 locations. They have been causing extensive damage to the environment and the economy, as they consume and destroy crops, pastures, and forests.

They also compete with native wildlife for food and habitat, and can transmit diseases to other animals and humans, such as African swine fever, brucellosis, and leptospirosis.

According to Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and one of Canada’s leading experts on the issue, the super pigs are “the most invasive animal on the planet” and “an ecological train wreck”. He estimates that the super pigs cause around $100 million in damage to Canada every year.

The Threat to the U.S.

The super pigs are not only a problem for Canada, but also for the U.S., as they could easily cross the border and establish themselves in the northern states. Brook and his colleagues have documented several sightings of super pigs near the Canada-North Dakota border, and one within 18 miles of Minnesota.

The U.S. already has its own population of feral pigs, mostly in the southern states like Texas, where they cause around $2.5 billion in damage to crops every year. However, the super pigs are more dangerous, as they are larger, faster, and more aggressive than the regular feral pigs. They can also be hostile to humans, as evidenced by a case in Texas where a woman was killed by wild pigs in 2019.

The Response to the Super Pigs

The U.S. is taking steps to prevent the super pigs from invading its territory, by increasing surveillance, education, and eradication efforts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a national feral swine program, which provides funding and assistance to states and tribes to detect, control, and eliminate feral pigs.

The USDA also works with Canadian authorities to share information and coordinate actions to combat the super pigs. Several states, such as Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana, have banned hunting of feral pigs, as it can make them more elusive and disperse them further. Instead, they encourage people to report any sightings of super pigs to the local wildlife agencies, who can then use traps, dogs, or helicopters to capture and kill them. The goal is to eradicate the super pigs before they become established and impossible to remove.

The Future of the Super Pigs

The super pigs are a serious threat to the U.S., but they are not invincible. Brook believes that it is still possible to stop them from spreading, if there is enough political will, public awareness, and scientific research. He says that the key is to act quickly and decisively, before the super pigs become too numerous and widespread. He also hopes that the super pigs can serve as a lesson for the future, to prevent similar situations from happening again.