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Unmasking the ‘Super Pig’: SCIC's Wild Pig Eradication Efforts

Saskatchewan is actively removing feral wild boar, an invasive species causing damage to crops, livestock, vegetation and ecosystems. Known by various names such as wild boar, feral pigs, feral swine or wild pigs. Even though wild pigs are known for their elusive behavior, they are not the invincible super pigs many people believe. The animals leave identifiable signs making it possible to track and manage their populations effectively.

Wild pigs are primarily located in wetlands, such as large sloughs or small self-contained waterbodies. Sloughs are perfect habitats for wild pigs, as cattails offer shelter and their roots serve as a plentiful food source.

Wild Boar Habitat, Photo Captured By: Joro Consultants

The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is at the forefront of eradicating wild pigs through its Feral Wild Boar Control Program. SCIC’s Control Program coordinates qualified hunters and trappers to investigate sightings and take action. Research and management experience indicates hunting individual pigs has minimal effect on the population. Hunting breaks up groups of pigs, called sounders, scattering the animals across the landscape. The wild pigs then breed to replace any losses and avoid hunters. Effective eradication methods involve identifying and eliminating the entire sounder.

This approach requires dedicated wildlife professionals with specialized techniques. “To identify wild pigs, SCIC uses drone and thermal technology,” said SCIC’s Manager of Strategic Operations, Dale Knouse. “Once detected, we’re able to monitor the progress through remote cellular cameras, to identify the number of pigs and breed. Then we’re able to trigger the trap gates through a text to the mechanism and it drops the gate, capturing the wild pigs.”

Wild Boar Sounder, Photo Captured By: Joro Consultants

The Feral Wild Boar Control Program collaborates with various organizations to monitor disease, track wild boar populations and develop effective strategies. From 2017 to 2025, SCIC removed over 1,000 wild boars across the province. Ongoing surveillance data indicates the harsh winter climate and SCIC’s management efforts have reduced the population. Saskatchewan’s wild pig population is largely concentrated within two small areas of the province.

In the 2023-24 fiscal year, SCIC paid $26,439 in compensation for losses caused by wild boar, compared to $24.4 million for other big game wildlife species damage.

By unmasking the myth of the super pig, Saskatchewan's dedicated efforts show the importance of effective eradication strategies and public participation in reporting sightings. Together, these efforts are making significant strides in controlling the wild pig population and protecting the province's valuable resources.

If you spot a wild pig, report it immediately by calling 1-833-PIG-SPOT, emailing customer.service@scic.ca, or completing the digital form at scic.ca/squealonpigs.

Wild Boar Damage, Photo Captured By: SCIC

For media inquiries, contact:

Ashley Gristwood,
Media Relations
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
Email: media.inquiries@scic.ca