"Midwest States Prepare for Feral Pig and Wolf Management Challenges"

Minnesota officials are preparing for a potential feral pig invasion after a sow and her piglets caused severe damage to the landscape in 2016. State agencies are reviewing their roles and potential gaps in management to limit future damage if feral pigs establish a foothold in the wild. Feral swine, not native to the U.S., have a population of over 6 million animals and are rapidly expanding, causing serious issues to agriculture, forests, and wildlife. They compete with native wildlife for resources, damage vegetation, and can spread diseases to domestic hogs. The state is taking measures to prevent disease spread and is seeking public input on managing feral pigs.