GREAT FALLS — The Montana Department of Livestock collaborated with USDA Wildlife Services to investigate, and the pig was discovered 1.5 miles away from the reported location.
The agency confirmed that the animal was not a wild boar but an escaped domestic pig. The pig was reunited with its owner on Friday.
(1st REPORT) The Fort Belknap Indian Community reported a sighting of a wild boar on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
A news release stated that the boar was spotted at 8 a.m. approximately three miles south of the Three Buttes cut-across.
Authorities have not yet located the boar at this time.
If you encounter a wild boar, it is advised not to approach it as they can pose a threat.
Individuals are urged to contact the Fish & Wildlife Department at 406-353-4801 if they spot any wild boars.
Wild boars, also known as feral pigs, have the potential to cause harm to people and livestock, as well as consume vegetation.
From the Montana Department of Livestock (link):
- In Montana, feral swine are regulated by the Department of Livestock.
- Montana’s definition of feral swine includes animals living in an untamed or wild state, as well as swine that appear to be contained for commercial hunting or trapping.
- Only authorized entities by DOL have the permission to capture feral swine on public lands.
- Introducing, transporting, and releasing feral swine in Montana is prohibited.
- Hunting feral swine in Montana is prohibited.
- Feeding feral swine is prohibited.
- Private landowners and public land users must immediately report any sightings of feral swine to the Department of Livestock.
- Reports of feral swine sightings must be made within 24 hours to the Department of Livestock emergency reporting number 406-444-2976.
- Violating Montana law regarding feral swine may result in fines ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 for each violation.
Why is it illegal to hunt feral swine in Montana?
- Due to their reproductive efficiency and movement behavior, normal hunting practices cannot eradicate swine.
- Hunting pressure that does not eliminate all animals in a group (sounder) can lead to the dispersion of animals.
- Feral swine that have been hunted become more challenging to eradicate.
- All instances of reported feral swine in Montana involving live animals have been found to be owned animals.
The US Department of Agriculture states that feral swine, also known as wild pigs, wild boars, wild hogs, and razorbacks, are considered a dangerous and destructive invasive species, with populations spreading across the nation.
FROM NOVEMBER 2019:
Montana Ag Network: feral hogs in Montana
