Hernando de Soto introduces wild boar to America

"As Europeans began to explore the New World, the supplies they brought with them often included domestic pigs. At the onset of exploration, free ranging practices were still common in Europe and were replicated in the Americas where abundant food sources made it easy for pigs to feed themselves . . . One notable trip credited with numerous hog introductions was Hernando De Soto’s expedition across the southeastern United states from Florida to Texas. De Soto’s expedition was supplied with hogs from free ranging populations in Cuba. During his expedition, De Soto regularly left groups of pigs behind due to escape, capture, and so that there would be food sources for their return journey."