Flying pigs? Maybe not. But they’ll jump through hoops of fire

by Martha Edwards on

I thought performing animals were the height of cuteness when I headed to Monkey Island off the coast of Nha Trang in Vietnam. In fact, that’s why I went. But after watching a bear ride a motorcycle in a Tutu and a spiked metal harness that bent his neck to an impossible degree of discomfort and an elephant that got whipped into standing on a foot stool, I kind of changed my tune. While I’m glad the bear wasn’t free to roam and maul us all, it was a pretty heartbreaking. Except for the dogs, every animal that appeared in the show that day was chained and whipped into doing cute but unnatural things. I supposed this has been going on for years, but I guess I didn’t notice until now.

So I’m not sure what I think about this story about performing pigs in Thailand. Apparently, tigers were too dangerous and unpredictable, but while pigs require a very patient trainer, these ones have been put through the rigors and have have stolen the show. The pigs can dance, pick up tennis balls and jump through flaming hoops, among lots of other things. They won’t be stars for long though — once they become full-grown adults, they become too fat to perform, and go to live in the zoo (really!)

Sounds cute — sans metal shackles, of course.

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In China, Being an Olympic Pig Sounds Better Than Being a Human

by Iva Skoch on

There is no doubt that China takes the Olympic Games in 2008 seriously. From massive construction projects to dispersing pollution, they want to make sure that the Olympics in Beijing is the grandest thing tourists have ever seen. Maybe, just maybe, people will finally recognize that communism and capitalism can shake hands and that, in a nutshell, there is no nation better than China!

The latest of extravagant attempt to be the best host has spurred much controversy in China. Apparently, pigs are being raised specifically to feed the athletes in Beijing next year. These pigs are being fed an organic diet and get two hours of exercise per day, which is certainly more than 99% of Americans get.

All sarcasm aside, this pandering to foreigners is troublesome in a country where ordinary citizens deal with tainted food and inhumane work conditions. It also raises questions about the quality of pork ordinary Chinese eat, which is filled with growth hormones and substances illegal for Olympic athletes. Think about that next time you order that Pork Stir Fry in Beijing.

Killing Santa Cruz Island's Pigs

by Erik Olsen on

I’ve got a few photos around here somewhere of a very good friend
of mine stalking a feral pig on Santa Cruz Island. He has a machete like object in his hand, and he looks very
determined to go "Lord of the Flies" on us. The picture comes from a trip I took with some fiends to Santa
Cruz Island in the Channel Islands some 8 months ago. Of course, no pigs were hurt. They were far too fast for him. The
islands are a blast, though. We set up camp on the island and hung out for a few days of outdoor recreation and, well,
let’s say sedentary recreation.

Anyway, I
was amused to learn that the campsites on the island were recently reopened after being closed so that National park
Service gunmen could go in and try to wipe out the feral pig population on the island. There were LOTS of feral pigs out
there. We saw several families of them, running about, squealing, and generally looking both cute and disgusting. But
you knew just watching them, that they’d have to be gotten rid of eventually.

And so it goes.

Officials say the hunters have eliminated the pigs from about 85 percent of the land, and about 4,800 of them
have already been killed. My guess is they will never get all of them, but that once a year, they should open the
island up to fathers and sons who can go in with guns and kill as many pigs a they like. That way you both foster
family values and get rid of the pigs.