EDMONTON – An Alberta wild boar producer says there are steps farmers can take to keep their animals from escaping.
Herds of escaped wild boar have made the news lately as they run wild through central Alberta.
Earl Hagman, who runs Hog Wild Specialties at Mayerthorpe, Alta., said regular fences are not enough.
“The boars root extensively, digging themselves under regular fencing to escape.”
He said running an electrically charged wire alongside the fence discourages rooting at close range.
“They’re too valuable to lose,” he said. “It means upward of $300 each out of pocket.”
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Hagman has also invented a trap that allows the boar to enter before a release gate locks them in. The trap is built of welded steel and mesh and sells for $1,600.
“Once we find their gathering spot, and place a trap, we lure them with grain for a few days, before baiting the trap with dry cat food. We can catch more than one animal at a time. Then we remove the box using a tractor with forklift front-end loader, to return them to the herd.”
Hagman belongs to the Western Canadian Wild Boar Association, which is developing recommendations to prevent escapes.
In the future, standardized fencing may be established as well as a tagging system to determine who owns stray animals.
There are 35 to 40 wild boar producers in Alberta with herds as large as 200 animals.
Hagman doesn’t feel the animals are dangerous to humans unless cornered or their young are threatened. Contrary to common belief only the male boars develop tusks at two years of age, he said.
