Wild boar hybrid identified near Fort Macleod, Alta.

Wild boar. (Photo courtesy Dr. Ryan Brook from the University of Saskatchewan)

Acting on information, an investigation by the Municipal District of Willow Creek's Agricultural Services Board (ASB) found a small population of wild boar hybrids being farmed near Fort Macleod.

"They are a New Hampshire potbelly hybrid with potential wild boar crosses," Carla Preachuk, M.D. director of agricultural services discovered.

"Currently these animals are being raised and used for dog food. These animals are contained and therefore are not a pest.

"It was also brought to our attention that the landowner is getting rid of the animals and was provided with information about wild boar and their invasiveness."

The ASB is exploring how to change/update M.D. animal or pest control bylaws to prepare an agricultural community defence against wild boar farming should it be needed.

"The whole thing behind this is to get something in place that deters anybody from wanting to start a wild boar farm in the M.D. of Willow Creek," she reported to the ASB at its Nov. 27 meeting.

She said she has learned the M.D.'s land-use bylaw includes wild boar "and has to be updated prior to us making a bylaw that prohibits them. There's (a) few steps we need to go through to make this work."

According to the land-use bylaw, you can have up to 50 wild boar without having to apply for a permit.

"We have to make a recommendation to council to amend the land-use bylaw," Preachuk said.

The M.D. is already making changes proactively and has struck wild boar from its land-use bylaw.

"Do we make changes to our present bylaw or should we draft one to deal specifically with wild boar?" asked ASB board member Cecilie Fleming.

"There is currently no mechanism through which the Alberta government could invoke a moratorium on either new wild boar farms or on the expansion of existing wild boar farms," Preachuk said in her ASB report.

"Due to this, 22 of the 69 rural municipalities have enacted bylaws regarding wild boar. These bylaws vary by municipality, but many include designating wild boar as a 'prohibited animal' and limiting both the expansion of current wild boar farms or banning the establishment of new ones."

Preachuk told the board she is having meetings with Darlene Roblin, from DKR Consulting Incorporated, whom she refers to as a bylaw expert, to discuss proposed changes and updates to the Animal Control Bylaw No. 1869 as well as the inclusion of wild boar farm prohibition in a new document.

Preachuk added she is waiting for information from DKR Consulting Inc.

"But because there is so much information, we are leaning towards a standalone bylaw," she said.

The ASB members asked if there have been sightings of wild boar in or near the M.D.

"I haven't heard of any," Preachuk said.

"This is perfect terrain for them so it's just a matter of when."