Lac La Ronge Chief concerned about wild pig find in northern Sask.

The Chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) is concerned about a wild pig recently discovered in traditional territory.

Last weekend, a land user near Weyakwin shot and killed a wild pig while he was out checking his traps. Since then northern residents, including Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, have been expressing concern about the invasive species being spotted so far up north.

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“We are very concerned about them moving to the north. They are very destructive,” she said, noting LLRIB Lands and Resources Manager Ty Roberts has been tasked to write a proposal to the Treaty Rights Protection Fund to try to help with the population.

“Hopefully, the Province of Saskatchewan will step up and intervene and help us with controlling the population because they are very invasive.”

Not only do wild pigs destroy native habitats, Cook-Searson said they will also have an impact on the woodland Caribou, which are a threatened species in Saskatchewan.

Dale Knouse, the manager of strategic operations of Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, explained he is aware of the wild pig being discovered and action is already being taken. Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation is responsible for controlling wild pigs and it receives annual funding to do so.

Knouse said wetlands like muskegs are a common area the pigs are attracted to, so it didn’t surprise him when he learned of the sighting.

“We’re investigating this matter right now and we’re going to determine what the best course of action is for it,” he said.

Since the corporation began targeting wild pigs, Knouse said around 1,000 have been eliminated. The program the corporation operates uses cage traps to catch entire groups.

It was also reported that four wild pigs were spotted on the Northern outskirts of Prince Albert in recent weeks.

“What we have found in reviewing how it has gone in other provinces and states to deal with this situation, hunters removing individual pigs actually have a minimal impact on populations,” he said.

“What happens is they can get scattered. We are trying to eliminate the entire group at the same time. Certainly if they see one, like what I think happened in this situation, that’s an opportunity to take that one out. If they see a group, it is actually better if they call us.”

If anyone happens to spot a wild pig, they are strongly encouraged to report the sighting by calling 1-833-PIGSPOT.

— by Derek Cornet

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