Pig named Matilda escapes from farm and gives birth to 10 piglets in woods
A pregnant pig who was destined for the dinner table has managed to break free from a farm and bring 10 babies into the world.
Anna Aston, 49, was stunned when she spotted the mum feeding her piglets in the undergrowth as she walked her dog Puglsey on Monday.
She contacted Brinsley Animal Rescue after making the discovery in woodland near Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, and volunteers have since named her Matilda.
The charity is now appealing to a farmer to allow them rehome the ‘Ollerton 11’ so they can avoid being sent to the slaughterhouse.
Anna, from Swadlincote, Derbyshire, says she hoped the farmer would now find the heart to spare them the chop after they ‘earnt their freedom’ thanks to Matilda’s daring escape.
The mum-of-two told how she was walking near the woods when she heard something in the hedges which she could tell was quite big.
She thought it could have been a dog or a badger and couldn’t believe it when she saw the pig and piglets rustling around in the undergrowth.
Anna added: ‘I walked on but couldn’t get these pigs out of my mind and I was worried for their safety.
‘I didn’t realise there is a pig farm nearby and she must have escaped from there. It’s incredible really that she went to such lengths to protect her babies.’
Jon Beresford, who runs the charity, said he would need permission from the farmer to remove the pig and her piglets, which are believed to be around three-weeks-old.
But he is hopeful of Nottinghamshire County Council allowing them to move the animals safety on welfare grounds if their pleas to the farmer fall on deaf ears.
They have dubbed the family the Ollerton 11 after the Tamworth Two – a pair of pigs that famously escaped while being unloaded from a lorry at an abattoir in WIltshire in 1998.
Jon believes Matilda’s motherly instincts kicked in and she knew she had to get herself and her babies to safety in order to protect them.
He said: ‘It’s almost like her maternal instincts are like “I want to get out of here and have my babies” and she has broken out.
‘We are now appealing to the farmer to let her be rescued by us as she has shown such bravery, determination and strong love for her babies.’
Jon said Matilda has a ring through her nose, which his team considers cruel because pigs use their noses to forage for food and upturn roots.
She has been unable to find anything to eat in the wild, so the charity has been taking food to her while she looks after her piglets.
Jon says the team has been trying to get in touch with the farmer to no avail, so they may have to approach the council’s animal department.
He added: ‘If they agree we can move her on welfare grounds or the farmer comes back to us and agrees – then we can save her from the chop.
‘We hope the farmer can find the heart to let us rescue Matilda.’
Louise Smith, a volunteer for the charity, added: ‘She has a ring through her nose which meant she was unable to forage for food herself.
‘We left food for her to eat but she only seemed interested in caring for her young.
‘We are really hopeful the farmer allows us to commence the rescue and get Matilda and her family to a sanctuary where they can live out the rest of their natural lives.’
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