Wild boars escaped North Carolina ranch in 1912; Smokies still battles them

Invasive European wild boars, originally introduced to the area in 1912, are wreaking havoc within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To mitigate damage to delicate ecosystems, park management annually removes around 275 of these feral hogs. The boars breed with domestic pigs, creating hybrid species that further disrupt native wildlife. Efforts to control their population involve trapping, shooting, and implementing fencing strategies.