Emma
a new princess in the pig palace of 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 bought the two mini pigs from under the butcher's knife.
In 2020, Emma's sister died suddenly and for about a year and a half they had been looking for a forever home for Emma. The lease was to be terminated at the end of the year.
Mini pigs - fashion pigs
The mini pig is becoming more and more popular. Similar to the dog, a mini pig builds a relationship with humans and has a tremendous drive to play and explore.
In recent years, mini pigs have become increasingly popular, because they are considered cute and particularly adaptive. Their keeping must be species-appropriate and must also be reported to the veterinary office.
Animals are not fashionable creatures, but living beings with feelings, organs, a soul and with the right to be respected and kept responsibly. You cannot change them like fashion colors. Animals are fellow creatures, they are part of the system of nature and demand respect and responsibility.
How is Emma doing in the Pig Palace?
Letting Emma go outdoors after three weeks on the farm 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 have trust in the animal caretakers. Trust in humans is important, in order to have trust in a veterinarian, if the worst comes to the worst. Or, if Emma is going to be in the free run, is frightened by a noise and runs away, the animal caretakers have to recognize her as a confidant, so that she can run into the stable or be led there.
A couple of times a day, we come to Emma who is "hiding" under the straw blanket in her stall. 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 she gives us the signal, we will slowly start free running. Lotte might be a great companion for Emma, we'll 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 is a personality and has 244 different sounds to communicate with conspecifics.
Emma is intelligent and curious, and will soon know who her human friends are. Right now, she is snuggling in the straw bed in the Pig Palace and is happy to have pieces of apple and to be petted. She loves having her ears scratched, her back massaged, or, even better, her tummy massaged. The oink sounds she makes definitely mean "good, keep going!".
Soon, Emma will give the other residents of the Pig Palace a chance to get to know her really well.