U of S prof predicts wild pigs will show up in Sask. cities

The death of a woman who was killed by wild pigs in Texas should be a warning for Saskatchewan residents.

That’s the word from University of Saskatchewan researcher Ryan Brook, who spent a decade tracking the invasive and aggressive animals.

Wild pigs, which have overrun the state of Texas, attacked the woman while she was on her way to work Sunday.

Brook leads the Canadian Wild Pig Research Project and said the likelihood of such an incident happening in Saskatchewan is not as far-fetched as it once was.

“This shows us very clearly the risk is not zero,” Brook said. “I think the potential for Saskatchewan to support well over a million pigs, certainly in my experience, is not a problem for Saskatchewan. We could in many ways parallel what we’re seeing in Texas if we continue down the path we’re on.”

While there have been very few documented cases of deaths involving wild pigs in North America, Brook notes the number of attacks on humans in Texas has been increasing.

“Everybody in my research team has had a ‘Holy smokes’ moment, where theses animals will turn on you very fast and they have razor-sharp tusks,” Brook said.

There aren’t solid numbers on wild swine in Saskatchewan, but the population has been increasing like “wildfire,” said Brook.

Based on current trends, he said it’s only a matter of time before we start seeing the animals move into cities and towns.

“Most of the southern half of the province, you can find at least one or two pigs in most areas now,” Brook said. “That spread is still continuing.”

This winter, his research team will be setting up cameras around Saskatoon to monitor for the animals.

Saskatchewan currently doesn’t have a wild boar strategy.