Emma
A new princess in the pig palace at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf
For some time Emma and her sister lived with an animal-loving family in Germany. At the age of about nine,the family literally boughtthe two mini pigs from the butcher under the knife.
In 2020, Emma’s sister died suddenly and for around a year and a half, they had been looking for a forever home for Emma. The tenancy agreement was due to be cancelled at the end of the year.
Mini pigs - fashion pigs
The mini pig is becoming increasingly popular. Similar to dogs, minipigs build up a relationship with humans and have an enormous urge to play and explore.
In recent years, mini pigs have become increasingly popular because they are considered cute and particularly capable of learning. They must be kept in a species-appropriate manner and must also be registered with the veterinary office.Animals are not fashionable creatures, but living beings with feelings, organs, a soul and the right to be respected as living beings and kept responsibly. They cannot be changed like fashionable colours. Animals are fellow creatures, they are part of the natural system and demand respect and responsibility.
How is Emma doing in the pig palace?
After three weeks on the farm, letting Emma go free would not be a good start to a happy pig’s life.
“Emma should be able to build up trust. First and foremost, she should trust the animal carers. Trust in people is important so that she can also trust a vet if the worst comes to the worst. Or, if Emma is out in the field, gets frightened by a noise and runs away, it must be us animal keepers that she recognises as trusted people so that she can run into the stable or be led there.
A few times a day we come to Emma, who is “hiding” in her hutch under the straw blanket. When she smells a piece of apple or potato, the first thing that appears is the little trunk, then the right eye, the left eye, the head, the little ears and then the whole Emma. I sit with her in the straw, and the friendship thing is already working quite well. Emma is a very sweet and intelligent mini pig. When Emma gives us the signal, we will slowly start to let her run free. Lotte might be a great companion for Emma, let’s see!” says animal keeper Steffi, whose heart beats for the pigs.
Happy ending for Emma
Pigs and humans can communicate with each other. Each pig has a personality and has 244 different sounds to communicate with its conspecifics.
Emma is intelligent and curious, and will soon know who her human friends are. At the moment, she is snuggling up in her straw bed in the pig palace and enjoys the apple pieces and cuddles. She loves having her ears scratched, her back massaged or, even better, her tummy rubbed. The oink sounds she then makes definitely mean: “Good, carry on!”.
Soon Emma will give the other inhabitants of the Pig Palace the chance to get to know her really well.
