It is well known that pigs are intelligent and curious. In nature, sows make a secure nest for their piglets and there are strong bonds between mother and young.
Recent research with pigs found that they have “episodic-like memory” – a particular kind of memory which indicates highly developed mental abilities.
Despite our knowledge of their sentience, the majority of the world’s pigs are kept in factory farms. And if the animal welfare reasons are not enough to end factory farming, swine flu may give us another reason. Cramped, stressed animals in filthy conditions provide the ideal breeding ground for bugs. (The link takes you to a short clip on CNN News with disease expert Dr Michael Greger).
A better quality of life. Image: Compassion/Martin Usborne
High welfare, free range or preferably organic systems can provide a much better life for pigs. Let’s give them space, fresh air and a life worth living.
Tags: Add new tag, animal agriculture, animal farming, Memory, pig, sentience
Posted in Memory, Pigs | 1 Comment »
Sue, an amazing six month old (male) pig, is charming the world’s media with his intelligence and abilities. He noticed that the family dogs received treats while they were being trained on a dog agility course and he started to copy them!
Sue lives at a UK animal centre, where the owner is quoted as saying:
“He certainly does a dog agility course without any trouble. He twists and turns in both directions, he gives his trotter and he does cones, the tunnel and ramps. Everybody is always amazed, but personally I’m not because I have kept pigs for years and I know they really want to learn.”
A pig needs to rest too! Image: Istockphoto.com
Another quick-thinking pig is LuLu, who brought life-saving help for her human companion.
‘Celebrity pigs’ like Sue and Lulu show us that they and fellow pigs are intelligent and interested in their world. It underlines the fact that how we treat pigs is of vital importance to them. Yet pigs are one of the most intensively farmed animals in the world. Millions of pigs reared for meat each year have a short and sometimes painful life in a barren concrete pen. The young pigs can never experience fresh air or daylight. They are unable to behave naturally and are likely to be bored and frustrated. But higher welfare free-range or organic farming systems give the animals a chance of a better quality of life.
High welfare free range or organic farms can give the animals a better quality of life
Tags: Add new tag, animal agriculture, animal farming, pig, sentience
Posted in Farm Animals, Pets (Companion animals), Pigs | No Comments »