Feral Wild Boar in Saskatchewan
Feral Wild Boar in Saskatchewan
Originally from Siberia, wild boar were first introduced to Saskatchewan as part of an agriculture diversification initiative. Escaping and released wild boar have become invasive throughout the province, and these highly adaptable, hardy, invasive species are prevalent throughout our watershed area. Feral wild boar have very few natural predators, are extremely intelligent, and are known to carry up to 30 different diseases that can harm humans and livestock including E.coli, bovine tuberculosis and foot and mouth disease. They are able to reproduce rapidly, and a sow can have two litters per year with an average of 6 to 8 piglets in each litter. They are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and animals, and they will eat virtually anything including crops, roots, tubers, worms, insects, bird eggs, snakes, lizards, mice and even deer. They will dig into the ground, rooting for food, and can cause extensive damage to crops, riparian areas and pastures. They have razor sharp tusks, a thick hairy coat, and longer legs than domestic pigs that help them travel through snow. An adult male can weigh up to 300 pounds.
Through their rapid reproductive rate, adaptability, rooting and destructive nature, feral wild boar can have a dramatic impact on our land and water resources including riparian areas, wetlands, grasslands, pastures, crops, and more. These animals are also very dangerous, and will attack any creature that they deem as a threat. Their ability to adapt and thrive in a variety of environments, exponential reproductive rates, and lack of natural predators, have made feral wild boar a problematic invasive species throughout North America.
The Carrot River Valley Watershed Association has been working with Dr.Ryan Brook from the University of Saskatchewan to bring together wild boar researchers, experts, municipalities and the public to discuss this issue and how to develop response plans to feral wild boar. We will be hosting a Wild Boar Symposium on Friday, November 3, 2017 at the Kerry Vickar Center in Melfort. For more information and to register, contact the CRVWA at 306-752-1270.
Abandoned Water Well Decommissioning
Water wells provide a direct route for above ground contaminants to move into our ground water. When a well has become abandoned, it is no longer being maintained and often falls into disrepair. Degraded well caps and well casings lead to a much higher risk of contamination and once ground water has become contaminated remediation is often costly. Abandoned wells can also be a safety hazard, especially the large-diameter wells which are large enough for an animal or person to fall into the well and become trapped. Abandoned wells on your property can reduce the value of your property as well as pose a liability risk.
Many residents in Saskatchewan rely on ground water as their primary water source for their home and/or business. By decommissioning abandoned water wells on your property, you can help to protect this precious resource for generations to come.
Come out and join us for a live demonstration of an abandoned water well decommissioning!
On October 25 we will be in Ridgedale for the first of two demonstrations. We will meet at Ridgedale Community Hall at 1pm to begin a presentation from Rob Walcer, AScT, Water Security Agency Senior Ground Water Technologist, on the correct process to decommission a water well. We will also have a short presentation from Alicia Sopatyk, PAg. Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Specialist on the importance of water quality testing. Shortly after, we will head out to the well site, approximately 3/4 miles north of Ridgedale and watch Chupa Trucking and Excavating demonstrate how to decommission a large diameter water well.
This project was supported by the Agricultural Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Initiative under the Canada-Saskatchewan Growing Forward 2 bi-lateral agreement.
Ridgedale Well Decommissioning Demonstration Poster
On October 26 we will be east of Prince Albert, SW-11-49-22-W2, working with the South Saskatchewan River Agri-Environmental Group Plan to host a second well decommissioning demonstration. We will talk you through the steps to complete a large-diameter well decommissioning as the contractor completes the work.
Contact the Carrot River Valley Watershed Association in advanced to book your space – (306) 752-1270
