KUNEKUNE PIGS AT CAMP SKIPPING PIG

 On November  19, 2009 I picked up three Red Russian Wild Boars. The two females stayed at Camp Skipping Pig and their brother was delivered to a sanctuary near Syracuse, NY. These lovely wild pigs were born in July of 2009 and would likely have ended up at a canned hunt facility or at the least in a breeding program to produce animals to be hunted. Though we realize we can't save them all and cannot stop the breeding of these beautiful animals for hunting preserves, at least these three are in safe and loving homes. Though Initially very wild, they are intelligent and quick to respond to a soft voice and rewards. By December they were accepting scratches by their ears and soon after relaxed enough to begin enjoying belly rubs. They have settled in beautifully and couldn't be nicer or more gentle. Camp Skipping Pig is thrilled to welcome these beautiful girls into our porcine family!

 The girls' names are Kalai and Karma. Kalai is the more dominant of the two. Karma has spots. Without the spots it would be difficult to tell them apart.

(more about them below...)

 

                                   KALAI
KARMA

 

 

 On July 3, 2010, Kalai surprised me with three darling babies. She and Karma had somehow gotten in with the Kunekune boars for a couple of hours. When discovered they were quickly shuttled back to their proper area and no more thought was given to them having met the boars.  They were staying apart from them and the boars weren't showing any interest in the visiting girls. So you can imagine my surprise in July when three tiny babies were discovered on Saturday evening as I fed. I was examining Kalai's underside as she ate and wondering why she suddenly had developed larger nipples. Even that morning they weren't apparent. As I pondered this change in her, a tiny baby poked it's head out of the pig house. It could have been a purple cow and I wouldn't have been more surprised. She had hid her pregnancy very well.

 Kalai is a wonderful mother and readily accepts me in with her and the babies. On Sunday AM. July 4th, I laid in the pig house with Kalai as she nursed them. Karma joined us and I put my head on Karma's belly while I scratched Kalai as the babies nursed. Do not believe the garbage some would feed people about "vicious and dangerous wild boars". The only time they show aggression is in defense of themslves or their family members. They are gentle and affectionate pigs. I have met many at other sanctuaries and they, too, are wonderful animals and non-threatening, even to a stranger.

I suspect these three are the only Red russian Wild Boar/ Kunekune crosses on the planet!

The babies are named Eiswald, Vincent and Aspen.

 

 HERE ARE A COUPLE VIDEOS OF THE BABIES 

On Sept. 16, 2011 Kalai and Karma escaped from their area. Despite extensive efforts to get them home safely they wandered farther and farther from home. In October Kalai was shot in someone's back yard and Nov.8  I was notified that Karma was killed by bow hunters. The loss of these beautiful, gentle girls in this manner is heartbreaking and tragic and leaves a huge hole in my heart.