Documentary Confirms Hogzilla's Existence

New York Post ^ | Mar 22,2005 | ELLIOTT MINOR

[AmericanMade1776]

ALAPAHA, Ga. (AP) -- A team of National Geographic experts has confirmed south Georgia's monster hog, known to locals as Hogzilla, was indeed real - and really, really big.

They also noted the super swine didn't quite live up to the 1,000-pound, 12-foot hype generated when Hogzilla was caught on a farm last summer and photographed hanging from a backhoe.

Donning biohazard suits to exhume the behemoth's smelly remains, the experts estimated Hogzilla was probably only 7 1/2 to 8 feet long, and weighed about 800 pounds. The confirmation came in a documentary aired Sunday night on the National Geographic Channel; it will be rebroadcast Wednesday and Saturday.

"He was an impressive beast. He was definitely a freak of nature," said documentary producer Nancy Donnelly. She said Hogzilla's tusks - one measuring nearly 18 inches and the other nearly 16 inches - set a new Safari Club International North American free-range record.

[ikka]

Insert Hillary joke here...

[Puppage]

SUE-EEEEEEEEEEEEE

[keithtoo]

I wonder how he would look in a black pants suit....?

Never mind, I already know.

[marvlus]

I saw the special on Sunday. It was quite interesting. Did you know that pigs are the smartest domesticated animals? Also, once a pig becomes free, it reverts to its wild side within several weeks.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Dude, that's not a hogzilla, but a Buffarilla. Big as a buffalo, ugly as a gorilla.

[sure_fine]

that would make one big old corkscrew wouldn't it..lol

[Teezme]

I see the resemblance.

[mewzilla]

And the program closed with the warning that the Son of Hogzilla could be out there...

[AmericanMade1776]

SON OF HOGZILLA

[alloysteel]

Swine, unlike most terrestrial mammalian species, continue to grow when they reach maturity, and very old specimens are indeed very large. Eventually the large size works to the disadvantage of the animal, as the added bulk and inherent problems with the bodily functions, such as the heart and lungs do not grow proportionately with the musculature and skeletal development, and circulatory problems develop.

It is not unheard of that older swine die of heart attacks.

In pigs, a specimen that is even five years old is exceedingly rare. Most of them have died by violent means long before they reach that age, usually at about six months of age or sooner, when they are sent to slaughter. Even brood sows are rarely kept beyond three years of age. Breeding boars are kept only for about two years or less, as they become too large to mount smaller younger sows.

All of which may a LOT more than anyone ever wanted to know about pigs.

[mewzilla]

That explains a lot.

[Sax]

"Donning biohazard suits to exhume the behemoth's smelly remains"

So is that a 'GEORGIA Biohazard suit' in the picture - a white T-shirt & demin shorts?

[Musket]

Awwwright! That's one down. Now where's that Bigfoot....

[AmericanMade1776]

I have to say, I am mildy impressed with your knowledge of terrestrial mammalian species. :-) Only on Free Republic, only here.

Meanwhile stay out the woods around this small town in Alapha,Georgia. In the map below the Star marks the spot where Hogzilla was found.

[AmericanMade1776]

No, that is the actual guy who killed Godzilla. Looks kind of like David and Goliath.

[AmericanMade1776]

Oops..meant to say Hogzilla...sorry.

[blam]

"I saw the special on Sunday. It was quite interesting. Did you know that pigs are the smartest domesticated animals? Also, once a pig becomes free, it reverts to its wild side within several weeks."

I saw it too. Interesting program. I think the older guy inflated the numbers as an advertising ploy to attract more boar hunters to his place. Regardless, it was still a monster of a hog.

BTW, the stomach and intestinal system of pigs is very similar to ours and are frequently used for testing/experiments for our benefit. Pigs, unlike cows, horses and etc cannot digest cellouse and therefore essentially eat the same things we do/can....that's what all the taboo about not eating pork is about. The food used to raise a pig to maturity could be feeding 10 humans instead. In ancient times, death by starvation was common. So, the holy guys got involved.

[AmericanMade1776]

Actual pictures from National Geographic, preparing for the exhumation of Hogzilla.

[AmericanMade1776]

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel/photogallery/explorer_hogzilla/index.html url for the above pictures.