Obituary Pig Potter
A "fat and round" Maori pig
Nine years ago, Gut Aiderbichl agreed to take in five Kune-Kune pigs. Potter, Harry, Roy, Diego and Casanova came to Henndorf as happy-go-lucky brothers and were in charge of the estate from then on.
Gut Aiderbichl is committed to species conservation
The Kune-Kune pigs originate from New Zealand. They were almost extinct at the end of the 1970s and it is fortunate that people were found to continue breeding them. It was a matter of course that the five boars – Potter, Harry, Roy, Diego and Casanova – were accepted. In this way, Gut Aiderbichl has not only raised awareness of the extinct breeds of K.u.K. donkeys or Noriker horses and many other animal breeds, but also of the Kune-Kune pigs from New Zealand.
For many years, Gut Aiderbichl has been committed to species conservation and also maintains close relationships with institutions that are committed to species conservation on other continents.
The merry band of pigs from Gut Aiderbichl moved into Basti's hut
The Potter brothers, Harry, Roy (deceased), Diego and Casanova were inseparable from the very beginning. When the little pigs arrived at the farm years ago, it wasn’t just the donkeys, ponies and goats that were curious. The visitors were also wide-eyed, as many had never seen pigs like them before and were delighted to see the little whirlwinds in pig form.
Potter, Harry, Roy, Diego and Casanova were given a large enclosure in the courtyard, which had previously been occupied by our wild boar Basti. Basti moved into a large enclosure and the little “Maoris” lived in the beautiful wooden house and the large enclosure with lots of massage brushes to be able to massage and scratch their backs, necks and fat bellies.
The Great Hall was like a magnet for Potter and his brothers
The little piglets were free-range and their favourite place was the Great Hall, where visitors eat their lunch and where the shop with the goods for sale is located. Everything belonged to the little Kune Kunes! Mouse pads, cat beds, soft toys or small balls, paper buckets, contents of handbags etc. – Potter, Harry, Roy, Diego and Casanova had a use for everything and ran off with it as fast as they could.
Potter was the sir among the Kune Kune pigs at Gut Aiderbichl
When Potter found his brothers too exhausting, he preferred to lie down in the sand in front of the main stables and enjoy the sun. He also knew that many people already understood his quiet “Oink”. Potter loved being cuddled and stroked on the side of his belly, directly under his belly and between his legs. He would lie down slowly – even in the middle of the path or in the stable lane – and let it be known that the human should not stop.
Lastly, no medicine wanted to help
The keepers noticed that Potter was no longer so enthusiastic about his favourite activity, eating. A few days ago, he didn’t want to get up at all and we put him in a stall in the pig palace. Potter had enormous problems with his intestinal tract and the vet gave him painkillers. The best medication and the best food could no longer help Potter.
He let us know that it was time to go. Potter’s keepers were sitting with him in the straw when the vet euthanised him, clearing the way to the land of no pain.
Many tears dripped down Potter’s body. He closed his eyes peacefully forever and with a soft sigh he announced, “I’m going to Roy, who went before me a few years ago!”.
You will look at the stars at night. My star is too small to show you. It's better this way. My star will be one of those stars for you. So you will love to look at all the stars ... They will all be your friends.
– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Dear Potter,
We are grateful that we were able to accompany you for so many years. Your carefree nature, your love for people and your many different “oinks” were always trying to get in touch with people. You loved being close to visitors and you wanted the children to stroke you.
Farewell dear Potter, we will never forget you!
