Wild pig populations are on the rise across North America, prompting concern about their impact on the environment, agriculture, and disease transmission to domesticated pigs. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Lees covers the unique situation in western Canada, where the increasing numbers of wild pigs have found a suitable habitat, causing immense damage to the local ecosystem. He unveils the significant underlying issues with wild pigs beyond what we see and paints a real picture of the extensive harm these animals are causing to the environment and other species.

“Wild pigs are an invasive species. You need to take control measures very quickly and very aggressively. If you wait until a problem starts to get large, then you're way behind." - Dr. Wayne Lees

What you'll learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (02:40) Introduction 
• (03:52) One Health Approach
• (04:56) Wild pigs risks to the environment and to animals and humans’ health
• (08:43) History of Eurasian wild boars in agriculture
• (14:37) Implementing control measures for wild pig population
• (17:08) Surveillance: importance and methods
• (22:41) Wild pig behavior and control methods
• (27:40) Challenges in wild pig control and importance of collaborations
• (31:40) The three final questions

Meet the guest: Dr. Wayne Lees

Experience

• Current: Program Coordinator of Squeal on Pigs Manitoba 
• Past: Senior Consultant; Chair at Oak Lake Regional Community Development Board and Chief Veterinary Officer at the Province of Manitoba

Background

• M.Sc., Veterinary Epidemiology (University of Guelph)
• D.V.M. (University of Saskatchewan)

Connect with the guest!

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