Pigs are super smart and considered to be the most intelligent domesticated animal – even smarter than dogs. Like dogs, pigs can be trained and appear to have a high degree of emotional intelligence. In addition, pigs have very good memories and are curious and creative.
Feeling overwhelmed? The past week it may have felt like an overload of information. It is perfectly ok sometimes to switch off, turn off your phone, ignore social media, and shut down notifications. Rest comes in many forms, and even when the news seems to change every hour taking a mental break is key to staying sane.
One of the pig’s most distinctive features is its snout. It is unsurprising that pigs have an excellent sense of smell. In fact, pigs can detect scents an estimate 2,000 times more than humans. They use their keen noses not just to find food like many other animals, but also to sense danger and access their general surroundings. The end of the snout that forms the pigs distinctive “nose” is made of a thick, rough cartilage that allows them to really dig their nose in to sniff around. Pigs even have memories linked to different smells, so next time you see one rooting sniffing around perhaps it’s looking for something or trying to find its exact favourite spot from before! Amazing!
Did y’all know there are more pigs than humans in Denmark? For every 100 human residents of Denmark, there are 215 pigs. Why so many pigs? Well, for better or worse, Denmark has the largest pig meat industry in the world. However, it is starting to decline as more people are adopting vegetarian and vegan diets, in fact between 2014 and 2017 there was a 600% rise in vegans in the United States alone!
Always do your best and everything will turn out ok.
After a major event, a big trip or something really demanding, the best way to celebrate is to make sure to get adequate rest. It is totally ok to put your feet up sometimes even if you have other things you could do. Getting enough rest and relaxation can help you be stronger and more productive overall. Take a hint from Avery the official spokespig of The Haven Zoo, having a cuddle under the blankets can be the best way to recharge!
Races can be a lot of fun to participate in and observe. If you ever find yourself in a race, just remember that finishing is enough to make you a champion.
Did y’all hear the latest? Sometimes it can be difficult to sift through the chatter and figure out what is legitimate information and what is just noise. Wash your hands and hope for the best, that’s really all you can do.
Meet Avery, the official spokespig of the Haven Zoo. She is a friendly, miniature pot-bellied pig who enjoys a few special privileges such as spending time in doors. She helped promote the Haven before they acquired the land that the goat herd, pigs, llamas, donkey, horses and a few primates now enjoy. When she is not promoting the Haven, she enjoys sleeping, eating, hanging out with her puppy friends, and getting into shenanigans like opening cabinets and rifling through the trash. To be fair, I also enjoy sleeping, eating, hanging out with puppies and shenanigans too. Avery is such a character that even her parrot friend has learned to yell “Avery!”
Not only is The Haven Zoo home to a herd of lovely goats, but it has also given a home to a few pigs as well. Meet Logan (left) and Delilah (right), representing half of a foursome of goats that the Haven rescued from an extreme hoarding incident in Kentucky. Authorities found 458 pot-bellied pigs being kept, most malnourished and in a state of distress. Sadly, the farm had been opened with the intention of rescuing the pigs but breeding got way out of hand. Fortunately, the Haven was able to step in and rescue a few pigs who now have a lovely pasture to roam around in rain or shine.
To support the Haven and its efforts to provide animals with a good home, a nutritious diet and access to veterinary care please consider making a donation.
Goat of the Day 