The Alberta government has enacted significant changes to how wild boar are regulated in the province, shifting policy toward more restrictive controls. Recent amendments to provincial pest regulations designate all wild boar, including hybrids, as consistent pests under the Agricultural Pests Act. Under the updated regulatory framework, movement of live wild boar without specific authorization is prohibited, and all commercial or non-commercial transport, sale, purchase or acquisition of these animals now requires formal approval from provincial authorities. Mandatory reporting obligations have been established for any person who kills a wild boar, with information on date and location to be provided to government officials to support provincial tracking and disease-response planning.

These changes dismantle the informal free-for-all that wild boar management had become and shift responsibility toward structured oversight. Landowners or occupants may still address wild boar on their own property to prevent establishment or control damage, but the general public is barred from unregulated pursuit of these animals. Operators assisting landowners on a commercial basis must obtain appropriate permits, and pest inspectors require authorization to engage in control activities on behalf of others.

The rationale underpinning the new regime reflects growing concern about the ecological and economic impact of wild boar when they roam uncontained across agricultural and natural landscapes. Wild boar are not native to Alberta and are widely recognized by rural agencies as highly adaptable omnivores capable of devastating crops, disrupting habitats and spreading disease to livestock, pets and wildlife. Reports by agricultural advisory bodies have noted continuing expansions of boar sightings across multiple counties and conservation areas, fueling pressure for government action.

For producers already raising wild boar as livestock, the regulatory transition includes options for adjustment. Operators may elect to exit the sector with compensation or apply to retain their facilities under intensified containment and inspection protocols. The government has signaled support for affected farms during the transition period, though the heightened standards reflect a clear policy shift toward containment over expansion.

Overall, Alberta’s revised approach marks a decisive tightening of wild boar management, prioritizing formal regulation, data collection and disease contingency planning. The new rules limit informal involvement by hunters and the public while creating a stricter framework for professional pest control and livestock management.