The Ancient Solution to a New Problem: Solving Our Invasive Wild Pig Predicament

The United States has a big pig problem. Yeah, you read that right: pigs. Millions of them are running amuck, devastating ecosystems, spreading disease, contributing to erosion, and ruining agriculture. But we can all help ease this billion dollar ¹ problem with wild pigs if we reconsider two things that are innate to us: what we eat and what we hunt.

Arguably, as a vegetarian, this is a strange article for me author. But we have an overpopulation problem on our hands with an invasive species that lacks a natural predator. And we’re the only ones with the power to save the ecosystems they are destroying.

Is it time to get back to our roots? And is there a way we can do it with the most respect?

We’re going to look at the scope of this wild pig problem here in the United States and meet a Chef and hunter who is shaping a clean way for us to help the environment, balance populations, increase our own access to food, and connect us back to the food cycle. I know that hunting is a subject that can rub people the wrong way — but stick with us. This piece is sure to transform your way of thinking.

There are over 5 million wild pigs roaming the United States—2 million in the state of Texas alone. ²

That’s a lot of pigs. In fact, if you took all of these wild pigs and put them in the state of Vermont (Goodness Exchange’s home), they would outnumber the humans that live here by almost 8 times. 

And they make their presence well known. These animals are said to be among the most destructive invasive species in the United States. They erode soils, eat crops, nesting birds, and farm animals, damage trees, spread diseases, impact water quality, and reproduce in litters of, at the very least, 4 or 6. ³ Their presence in Texas alone causes tens of millions of dollars in damage every year — money that could be going to other important endeavors. ⁴

To see an overview of the wild (or feral) hogs’ impact on the environment and how they made their way into the United States (hint: it was us!) take a look at this information packet from the Texas Parks and Wildlife department.

So… what can we do?

One solution, that seems most natural to how the world functions, is to get back to our roots. Humans have been hunting for millions of years. ⁵ But if we step back for a moment and consider the relationship to food that we’ve cultivated in the past few centuries, it’s easy to see that we’ve shifted from our natural place in the world.

We are an animal. And most every animal hunts for something. Yet our focus is on ease and convenience, not the process and care it takes to put food on the table. So the question is, could these wild pigs offer a way for us to connect back to our planet? And what will happen if we don’t?

In the video below from Dark Rye, Chef and Texan, Jesse Griffiths, walks us through how we can intervene to manage these populations, increase our access to food in an ethical way, and connect ourselves back into the food cycle.

It’s a fascinating, beautiful piece that makes us consider our relationship with food and how that impacts the planet. Enjoy:

See more great content from Dark Rye by visiting their Vimeo page! We’ve actually featured them on the site recently. Check out the most recent article with their great content by clicking here.

You can see more of Jesse Griffiths work with his restaurant Dai Due over on their website. Everything that they serve can be found right in their home of Texas. Learn more about their work and their values in this wonderful video produced by The Bear: https://bit.ly/2HqSawt

Most every species on this planet hunts for something, whether it’s an antelope or a piece of algae floating through the ocean.

Its natures way of balancing everything out — making sure one species doesn’t go overboard and that others are fed and well.

Of course, as we know, some species can get around this. Invasive species, like wild pigs, don’t have natural predators where they’ve snuck into. And because of this, they’re free to grow their populations and wreak havoc on the land. But we can help. It all comes down to how we choose what to eat.

Now, no ones telling you to go out and hunt wild pigs.

Hunting isn’t for everyone. I’m not personally about to grab a gun and go out to solve this population problem myself — it would be a waste. But something we can all do is stop for a moment the next time we’re about to purchase meat (or any food, really) and consider where it came from. How did it get into your hands? What is its story?

Understanding where our food comes from ensures that we know exactly what we’re putting in our bodies and what our dollars are supporting. Are they helping alleviate a problem? Or are they supporting a growing one?

“Hunting’s not going to be for everybody. But I think that anybody who eats meat should see the process, and then you can make an informed decision whether you want to eat meat.

“I think that if you see an animal die or you have a hand in an animal dying, in the bigger picture that’ll give you more of a perspective about other things in this world. You know, about other resources that you use without thinking about them. And you will think about that every time you eat something that is dead. You should. You should definitely think about that. Where did that come from? What kind of life did it have? What kind of death did that thing have? And am I comfortable with it?”

— Jesse Griffiths, Chef of Dai Due ⁷

Answering these questions and deciding what you want to support is one easy way we can all take a step towards a healthier world for everyone. Knowing where our food comes from is important!

Our passivity is dangerous and may lead us down unfavorable paths. But knowledge is respect. Respect for the animals, respect for the land, respect for those who bring food to us, and respect for ourselves.

While we can’t control everything that happens in the world, we can at least control what we choose. What do you want to participate in?

Stay open to new possibilities!

• Sam

“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” — Albert Einstein 

This article originally published on May 28, 2019.

Don’t miss out on a single article!

Enjoy unlimited access to over 500 articles & podcast that give you a positive perspective on the state of the world and show you practical ways you can help.

Sign up now!