List of Introduced Animals of Alberta

Since settlers have arrived in Alberta, many animals have been introduced into the wild areas of this province, whether intentionally or not. This list will include Birds, Fish, and Mammals, it would include Reptiles and Amphibians but there have been, so far, none have been introduced to Alberta. 
=== Birds ===
* House Sparrow
The House Sparrow has been introduced to many places across the world. They were introduced to North America in 1852 in New York City to eradicate the Linden Moths that had been wreaking havoc in Central Park. Instead, due to the House Sparrows ability to adapt to many enviroments, it spread. The House Sparrows trail of introduction followed the railways, due to the large amounts of grains like wheat and cereal. These railroads eventually travelled through Alberta, from which it spread provincewide. Almost every albertan has certainly seen a House Sparrow. 
* European Starling
All it took was 60 of these hardy birds to be released in 1890 at New York City's Central Park as an attempt to introduce every bird referenced in William Shakespeare's plays to New York City. Similar to House Sparrows, the starlings then spread to virtually the rest of North America, including Alberta. Although, in Alberta European Starlings are mainly residents in the large cities of Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer. 
* Rock Pigeon/Feral Pigeon
Likely released by people from the British Isles who wished to continue to do their favourite pasttime, feeding pigeons. Though some were also most certainly escaped pets. Believe it or not, people used to be fond of Pigeons. I am one of the few who still are. In Alberta, Pigeons are widespread in not only the cities, but also railyards and grain silos. 
* Eurasian Collared Dove
With a similar story to that of the Rock Dove, the Eurasian Collared Dove is only established in Edmonton and Calgary and possibly Lethbridge. They are relatively new in Alberta.
* House Finch
while there is some debate as to whether the house finch spread naturally from California, it is mostly accepted that they were likely introduced to the rest of North America due to escaped pets, since they were popular pets in the early 1900s.
* Wild Turkey
This beloved gamebird has become a somewhat common sight in some very localized regions in Alberta. While rare in most of Alberta, instances such as the infamous Turk of Calgary prove that there are still some escapees. Wild Turkey have been introduced to the Porcupine Hills west of Nanton, as well as the Cypress Hills where they have managed a succesfull population.
* Grey Partridge
Coming from Eurasia, the Grey Partridge was in fact introduced to Alberta by my great grandfather. Introduced as a game bird they have managed to have a strong population in most of Alberta. Beloved by hunters, as well as birders, Grey Partridges have done no harm to the ecosystem and thus, are a welcome introduction.
* Ring-necked Pheasant
Introduced in a similar manner as the Grey Partridge, this asian gamefowl was introduced for sport hunting, and is now a common sight in rural alberta. Recently they have been becoming more common in Urban alberta. 
* Mute Swan
While one might find it hard to call the Mute Swans of alberta "introduced" they might as well be. the beloved mute swans of Europe were added to some parks in Calgary and Camrose, but multiple of them escaped (crazy how animals with wings can fly away). Now-days they have the wings clipped. But some escapees, or descendents of them, have been spotted in the wild of Alberta. Sadly, the Mute Swans have seemed to been decreasing in population, while they were certainly never established in the first place, one had places in Alberta to find them. the city of Camrose stopped having mute swans, and those parks in Calgary likely have too. So you will probably never be able to see one :(.
* Chukar
A spotting of a Chukar in the Rare Bird chat I am a part of for Calgary alerted me to their presence in Alberta. While they were attempted to have been introcuded to the Milk River valley, it appears that that introduction failed. However, Chukar's have been seen with more increasing frequency in the city of Calgary. so keep an eye out.
=== Fish ===
* Largemouth Bass
in the 1950s residents of Island Lake from Ontario began to miss their beloved Largemouth Bass, so they introduced a number of them into the lake. while they most likely have decreased in population, they are likely still there, as some have still been caught.
* Golden Trout
a rather positive introduction that helped both an endangered fish and sport anglers of Alberta alike. The Golden Trout is native to the Kern and Little Kern rivers in California. But have been introduced to Alpine lakes and mountain creeks in Alberta. They are still stocked in some lakes.
* Brown Trout
a trout originating from Europe, the Brown trout has been introduced to a large amount of the world, that does not exclude Alberta of course. Brown Trout are still stocked in ponds across Alberta.
* Brook Trout
A trout from Eastern North America, the Brook Trout has also been introduced to creeks and rivers in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. I've caught a couple myself. 
* (some) Rainbow Trout
This introduction is probably the only negative one of this list. The introduction of Rainbow Trout from other parts of North America have destroyed the pure genetics of our natural Rainbow Trout. So stop stocking the damn creeks!!! 
* Western Mosquitofish
Introduced to the Cave and Basin Historic Site in 1924 along with two other tropical fish to make it seem more "exotic" this stupid mistake, along with the disturbance and desecration of the natural ecosystem of the rare natural springs, caused the extinction of the Banff Longnose Dace. This natural wonder has been ruined. 
* Sailfin Mollie
Introduced to Cave and Basin along with the Western Mosquitofish
* Jewel Cichilid
Introduced in the same fashion as both the Sailfin Mollie and Western Mosquitofish. 
* Goldfish
Escaped Pets are all that compose of the few "wild" goldfish we have in Alberta. While to be considered introduced one must have a population, that can reproduce and not compose of escaped pets, it is beyond speculation to believe that they are infact reproducing, because they have managed to stay alive in the storm ponds of St Albert. Goldfish have been spotted in Calgary, St Albert, and Edmonton.
* Grass Carp
introduced to irrigation canals. They cannot reproduce because of extra chromosones added to ensure that they will not be invasive. 
* Koi Fish
Seen in similar manners to Goldfish. If seen one should call Fish and Wildlife, and they will be exterminated.
* Prussian Carp
The introduction of Prussian Carp has gotten out of Hand. Introduced to many lakes as well as the South Saskatchewan and Red Deer Rivers. I first encountered them in Weed Lake near Langdon. I was shocked, they were splashing in numbers of hundreds, at times leaping onto the shore, where I put them back in. While they pose a large threat in the rivers, at least in Weed Lake, where there were no larger native fish, and no outlet to creeks or other; I see no problem with there presence there. 
* Black Bullhead
Only introduced once, to the east texaco pond in Fort McMurray, and done so illegaly, they were eradicated in 2017. 
* Oriental Weatherloach
Possibly invasive somewhere? 
=== Mammals ===
* Wild Boar
Yes. Sadly we too have the boar problem. While not as serious as places such as Texas, they are growing. The government has been trying it's best to halt the invasion of these pigs, it seems now it might be too late. If you see one, kill it, or if you cant, report it to Fish and Wildlife. 
* Rats
yes, while Alberta is well known for it being "rat free" some have been known to have gotten through. Although swiftly eradicated, some were found in a garbage dump in Medicine Hat, but that's about it for our record of rats. Let's keep it that way.
* Eastern Grey Squirrel
In Calgary our city is sprawling with squirrels, most of ours are black, this is because of Natural Selection, when dealing with the harsh cold of calgary the black squirrel absorb more heat, so they succeed more in, well, surviving. Originating from escaped pets in the 1930 they now have colonized every backyard in the whole of Calgary.
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