Porkpocalypse!

 Imagine a giant pig that can survive harsh winters by digging tunnels under the snow, breed rapidly and cause massive damage to crops and wildlife. This is not a science fiction scenario, but a reality in Canada, where a hybrid species known as the “super pig” is threatening to invade the northern U.S. The super pig is a result of cross-breeding domestic pigs with wild boars, which were introduced to Canada in the 1980s for farming purposes. Since then, these pigs have escaped captivity and swiftly spread across Canada, with the super pig proving to be an incredibly proficient breeder, Brook said, while its giant size – one pig has been clocked at 600 pounds – means it has few natural predators. Experts warn that these super pigs pose a serious risk to the environment, agriculture and human health, as they compete with native species, destroy crops and habitats, and carry diseases that can infect humans. As some of these pigs have been spotted near the US-Canada border, there is a growing concern that they could cross over and wreak havoc in the northern states.

"Super Pigs" are not an alien species or the result of some lab-mediated genetic manipulation either. Ryan Brook, a researcher at the CWPRG, called them so due to their sheer size and ability to survive the Canadian cold. The species resulted from cross-breeding experiments conducted between wild boards from Europe and domesticated pigs in Canada. Back then, breeders sought to diversify animal agriculture and grow animals that could survive the harsh winters. About two decades ago, the demand for such cross-bred animals decreased, and Canadian farmers set the animals free or let them escape into the wild. Since the cross-breeding allowed the pigs to survive in the wild, they did ever so quickly. Over the years, their population has thrived, and they are now ready to invade larger cities.

In what seems like a plot straight out of a science fiction movie, the Canadian wild is now home to a growing population of "Super Pigs." However, these pigs are not the result of some kind of clandestine laboratory experiment or alien invasion. Rather, they are the product of cross-breeding between domesticated pigs and European wild boars, an experiment aimed at creating animals that could thrive in the harsh Canadian winter.

At the forefront of this research is Ryan Brook, a scientist at the Centre for Wildlife and Fisheries Research at the University of Alberta. He has spent years studying these animals and has dubbed them "Super Pigs" due to their impressive size and ability to survive in such harsh conditions.

The breeding of these animals was initially seen as a way to diversify animal agriculture in Canada. However, as demand decreased, these animals were set free or escaped into the wild. Given their unique genetic makeup, they were able to thrive in the wild, leading to a surge in their population.

Now, it seems, these "Super Pigs" are making their way to larger cities, and Canadian farmers are feeling the impact. Jokingly, some have called this invasion the "Porkpocalypse", as these animals are now competing with native wildlife for resources and wreaking havoc on local farms.

Despite the challenges, there may be a silver lining to this porcine problem. These "Super Pigs" are particularly hardy animals, which means they could potentially be bred for their superior genetics and used to improve the resilience of other livestock breeds. As always, when it comes to science and nature, the story of the "Super Pig" is both complex and fascinating.