The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters needs help tracking the movement of wild pigs.
The Federation wants volunteers to sign up for their Wild Pig Surveillance Program. The program supplies a trail camera to help with the early detection of the invasive species. The Federation stresses that this is not a hunt, but to help trained professionals remove the species.
Those who successfully apply for the program will receive a kit and must install the trail camera as quickly as possible. Volunteers must keep the trail camera baited, and will be sharing their contact information so the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry can follow up if pigs are detected.
Wild pigs are not native to North America and are the result of farm escapes or intentional releasing. Pigs are a threat to native ecosystems, as they can damage plants and compete with native wildlife for food. They are also expensive to control, reproduce quickly, and can spread disease.
The program is open to anyone in Ontario.