Feral hogs spotted in Burlington

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Those wild boars get around.

No sooner are wild pigs spotted out east in Pickering than reports come in from Burlington that the feral oinkers have also been seen in parts west.

Conservation Halton tweeted Tuesday that they had been “recently notified of a Wild Boar in Burlington and we intend to work with our partners to control the spread of this invasive species.

“If you observe a Wild Boar, please report the observation to the MNDMNRF at wildpigs@ontario.ca or 1-833-933-2355.”

Asked if the animals were dangerous, @ConservHalton tweeted this response:

“Though encounters or attacks from Wild Boar are rare, you should not approach a Wild Boar if one is observed. It is also recommended that pets remain on-leash in order to prevent an altercation with a Wild Boar.”

As the Toronto Sun reported last week, wild pigs are an invasive species and are being dealt with quickly in an attempt to ensure they do not become truly established.

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNR) is watching the animals carefully, as they are not native to Ontario and can have a negative effect on vegetation.

They also compete with other wildlife for food, water and space. Their trampling, rooting and wallowing habits are bad for water quality and can contribute to erosion.

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They damage crops and gardens and can spread disease to other wildlife, pets and people. And they easily reproduce, so the wild pig population spreads fast.

The “wild boar” can be farm pigs, pet pigs or Eurasian wild boars; the province notes “a small number of Eurasian wild boars have been imported and raised as alternative livestock on farms for meat.”

You can learn more by reading the section devoted to wild pigs on the MNR website.

It’s important to report any wild boar sightings at wildpigs@ontario.ca or 1-833-933-2355.