A "wild hog invasion" is looming as a mass of Canadian "super pigs" threatens to breach the US border, posing a significant threat to agriculture and livestock. The mutant swine, known as "ecological train wrecks," have emerged in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba after crossbreeding between different pig species. These super pigs, considered the most prolific invasive mammal in Canada, have been wreaking havoc by destroying crops and degrading water quality, with no signs of stopping due to their excessive breeding capabilities.

With the US already grappling with a massive feral hog problem costing billions in crop and land destruction annually, northern states such as Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana are taking measures to prevent the encroachment of super pigs onto US territory. Montana has already banned raising and transporting wild pigs into the state, but experts argue that more aggressive tactics are required to effectively halt their advancement. Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan, suggests employing various methods such as large ground traps, nets fired from helicopters, tracking programs, and even poisons like sodium nitrate, although concerns about collateral damage to other wildlife persist.

Gary Nohrenberg, the director of Minnesota's Wildlife Services, reports that, to his knowledge, no wild pigs have entered the state. However, in 2016, the USDA Wildlife Services had to shoot and kill a group of feral pigs attempting to enter Minnesota, but not before they had already begun reproducing and causing significant damage to a wildlife preserve. Despite the ongoing battle between US authorities and the super pigs, the eradication of their population seems unlikely in the near future.

Research conducted by the University of Saskatchewan reveals that these hybrid super pigs, a mix of wild boar and domestic swine, have adapted advantageous traits from both species, allowing them to survive harsh Canadian winters. Weighing between 120 and 250 stone, these resilient creatures create “pigloos” by burrowing in the snow, enabling them to withstand extremely cold temperatures and even breed in adverse conditions. Mr. Brook's research team has documented a staggering 62,000 sightings in Canada, emphasizing that even if 65% of the wild pig population is culled each year, their numbers would still continue to rise due to their rapid breeding abilities.

The super pigs' exponential population growth poses a significant risk to agriculture and livestock, as evidenced by the destructive behavior reported by Canadian farmers. These wild hogs frighten livestock, destroy crops, uproot soil with their long snouts, and tear up the ground. In the US, an estimated 9 million wild pigs already inhabit the country and have caused severe damage to landowners. Lethal methods of eradication are often employed to mitigate the population, with the Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership eliminating 9,857 feral hogs in 2021 alone and a staggering 54,000 since 2016.

However, the threat of the super pigs goes beyond land conservation. In 2019, a woman in Texas tragically lost her life after being attacked by a group of feral hogs on her way to work. The US is determined to eradicate the feral hog population and prevent the invasion of super pigs, but the road to full eradication may prove lengthy due to their rapid breeding capabilities.