2 weeks Ago By Mark Robinson
The Nashville Zoo has a new, tiny oinker trotting around on its grounds. In a rather unexpected twist, a male red river hog piglet made an entrance into the world on April 1st, courtesy of his mother, Tater. Named Chive, this little piggy is already making waves, or more appropriately, cute snuffles, as the latest addition to the zoo's family.
Despite Tater's confirmed pregnancy by ultrasound, the hoofstock team at the Zoo did not expect the piglet to be born quite so soon. However, a significant morning surprise was waiting for them as they found Chive weak, cold, and stuck in his afterbirth. The decision to immediately intervene was made after noticing Tater's alarming disinterest in her newborn.
As reported by WSMV, Dr. Louden Wright, the veterinarian at the Nashville Zoo, said, "He was quickly taken to the HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center's ICU, where Nashville Zoo's veterinary team provided supportive care, warmed him, and got him eating. He responded well to the treatments and is now being hand-reared by our animal care team and growing very quickly!"This isn't the first time red river hogs have hoofed it into headlines at the Nashville Zoo.
Chive is the third birth of its kind, with the first set of piglets premiering their snouts back on April 11, 2024. These striped and snouted bundles of joy are part of an effort by the zoo to educate visitors about wildlife conservation, specifically regarding habitats in western and central Africa, as noted by WKRN.The piglet, now approximately the size of a small cantaloupe and growing rapidly, is being groomed to become an ambassador animal for the zoo.
Chive's future responsibilities will include strutting around the zoo grounds and featuring in educational encounters to highlight the importance of species like the red river hog. According to Williamson's Source, Chive will help guests learn more about an intelligent and engaging species native to Africa. The Zoo ensures that Chive's squeal-worthy moments are not missed; enthusiasts can catch snippets of his antics via a live nursery camera available on their website.
For those who'd like to see this piglet prance in person, visiting the HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center at the Nashville Zoo will provide that opportunity. A spot where zoo-goers can learn, awed, and maybe chuckle at the newest and arguably roundest resident, all while supporting the broader message of wildlife preservation and protection across the globe..
