Newborn African Piglet ‘Unexpectedly Attacked’ and Killed by Hog at Houston Zoo

Summary:

Houston, TX – Less than a week after announcing the birth of a tiny African piglet, a Texas zoo is mourning after the piglet was fatally attacked.

On Aug. 25, just two days after sharing the good news, the zoo said the newborn red river hog is dead, and that an adult hog was responsible. “Despite our team’s best efforts, the piglet passed away after being unexpectedly attacked by another female hog in the group,” zoo officials said.

Zoo officials said the piglet’s death is a tragic example of nature taking its course. “In the wild, animals sometimes display aggression toward young ones, especially when establishing social hierarchies within their groups. While difficult for all of us, it’s important to recognize that such behaviors are part of the complex natural world,” officials said.

The zoo didn’t say if this incident will change the way it cares for the hogs going forward. It’s also unclear what, if anything, has been done regarding the hog that attacked the newborn.

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