A mother pig and her two piglets who fought for their lives after being dumped on the side of a road have now transitioned to a life filled with sweet apples and dusty mud baths at Little Bitty Animal Sanctuary, NBC 7 reported.
When an estimated 150 pigs were discovered abandoned on San Diego’s Mesa Grande Reservation, the sanctuary’s owner, Ryan Valverde, and his wife were able to capture mama pig Wendi and two of her babies, Mesa and Grande. Valverde said that as many as 50 pigs were taken in by rescue groups, but unfortunately, several others died.
“We don’t know exactly how many — maybe as many as five — but when we found momma, there were deceased piglets near her,” Valverde recalled in an email to Lady Freethinker (LFT).
Although Wendi, Mesa, and Grande were saved, the two babies — who weighed just a few pounds — weren’t out of the woods yet.
“When we brought Momma and the two babies to the sanctuary, one of the piglets, Mesa, was severely dehydrated,” Valverde said. “Our veterinarian was able to see them shortly after they arrived, but the first night was very tense, hoping Mesa would make it through the night.”
Luckily, Mesa and Grande are flourishing on the sanctuary. Valverde told LFT that the potbellied pigs weigh about 60 to 75 pounds and are nearly fully grown. They live at the 50-acre sanctuary with around 100 animals, happily wading in the mud or taking long naps, NBC 7 reported.
Pigs are intelligent and social animals who are often compared to dogs. They prefer living in small groups or families. Like other animals, mama pigs have a strong urge to nest before their babies are born, gathering straw and twigs to keep them warm and snug.
LFT applauds Little Bitty Animal Sanctuary for rescuing Wendi, Mesa, and Grande. The three can now stay together as a family and live happy lives in the safety of the sanctuary.
“Every time when we [are] out here and we get to spend some time with them and see them, it’s a good feeling,” Valverde told NBC 7.
