Posted on 04/16/2010 7:58:12 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
At first glance, with its woolly coat, onlookers would be forgiven for mistaking this creature for a sheep.
However, a closer look at this rare breed reveals a snout and trotters usually found on pigs.
It’s a confusing sight, but this is one of three curly coated Mangalitza ‘sheep-pigs’ which have been delivered to a UK zoo.
As part of a programme to help save the animals from extinction, staff at Tropical Wings in Essex are hoping they can help the breed survive.
Originating from Austria and Hungary, the Mangalitza is similar to the native Lincolnshire curly coat breed which died out in Britain 40 years ago.
‘At first sight, people think they are sheep,’ Denise Cox, education co-ordinator, at Tropical Wings, said.
‘It is not until they turn around and you see their faces and snouts you realise they are in fact pigs. Mangalitza
‘The woolly coat makes them very hardy and helps them to survive in the harsh winters in their native Austria and Hungary.
‘In the summer it helps protect them from sunburn.’
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
When they grow wings, let me know.
If they do I won’t be able to say that sentence again!! LOL. Weird looking little guy...
Accept no sheep substitutes...unless they go oink.
Bacon AND Wool... what a GREAT critter! :D
This has gotta be a bummer for ManBearPig. Competition and all...
Sweet!
Nice. Wool, meat, lard, and garbage disposal. I like multi-purpose animals!
We can now bury all Muslim terrorists in a free fur coat!
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