Wild Boar Prohibition Within Cypress County

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Lisa Sulz, Agricultural Supervisor for Cypress County, approached Council with a request for decision regarding a wild boar bylaw and recommended a motion that Council provide all three readings to the bylaw.

The Agricultural Service Board, Sulz explained, is proposing that Council consider adopting the prohibition of wild boar bylaw to prevent the establishment of the destructive pest and stated that the Agricultural Service Board moved to accept the proposed bylaw at their June 25, 2024, meeting, have it reviewed by a lawyer, and send it to Council for approval. Sulz also explained that wild boars are declared to be a pest where it is at large in Alberta under the Pest Control and Nuisance Regulation of the Agricultural Pests Act and wild boars are also incredibly destructive to agriculture land and other landscapes, as they root and wallow and destroy crops, riparian areas, and forested areas. 

Ultimately, Councillor Shane Hok made the motion that Bylaw 2024/15 Wild Boar Prohibition Within Cypress County be given first reading and the motion was carried. Councillor Michelle McKenzie made the motion that the bylaw be given second reading and the motion was carried. Councillors Blaine Brost and Keith Ritz  moved for additional readings and the motion was carried.