Nunu, the pig attacked in Phoenix, Durban, has been moved to an undisclosed location for its safety.
Image: SAFE/Facebook
A pig that captured the hearts of South Africans after a brutal attack by a group of men nearly a week ago was also shot during the ordeal.
Nunu, a well-known pig that roamed freely through Phoenix, north of Durban, suffered a gunshot wound to the neck.
SAFE, a Ballito-based animal rescue organisation, moved swiftly to correct widespread reports claiming that Nunu had died. The organisation confirmed that the pig is alive and recovering at an undisclosed location due to safety concerns.
SAFE members responded to the scene in Phoenix on Saturday when Nunu had been beaten.
“We went to help them. When we arrived, a large male pig was lying on its side next to the road. Numerous residents from the area were gathered around him. The incident had apparently occurred a few hours earlier, and the pig had not stood up,” SAFE said.
“On arrival, we were informed that the pig had been seriously injured during a beating and appeared to be paralysed.”
SPCA officials were also on scene and contacted the pig’s owner.
SAFE said the SPCA obtained telephonic permission to euthanise the pig because he appeared to be “paralysed and suffering”.
“We examined the wounds the pig had sustained to his tail and buttocks area. None were close to his spine or vital organs. None were deep or bleeding excessively. We then asked if the euthanasia could be halted while we assessed whether the pig was simply exhausted from the ordeal and needed time to recover.”
SAFE asked residents to donate fruit and water mixed with a small amount of sugar.
“The pig ate and drank readily. He still did not get up and remained lying on his side. We then applied Terramycin spray to his wounds, at which point the pig stood up on all four legs and began walking around,” SAFE said.
At the scene, SAFE representatives learnt from community members that Nunu had lived in the area for many years.
“He was a free-roaming pig owned by the scrapyard up the road. According to people who worked there, he arrived as a piglet in 2004. If that is accurate, it would make him 22 years old.
“In the many years he lived in the community, residents said he had never been harmed. He was well-loved, fed apples and fruit by residents, and even petted by some of the children,” SAFE said.
Over the next few days, Nunu remained on the roadside while his owner cleared space at a scrapyard for a pig pen.
However, the animal reportedly refused to return to the scrapyard, and a handler stayed with him.
SAFE visited the pig again on Monday and Tuesday and found him under the care of a handler on the side of the road.
“At approximately 5am on Wednesday, we received a phone call from the police saying Nunu was lying in the road and nobody could move him.”
SAFE members rushed to assist.
“Upon arrival, we found Nunu lying in the centre of the road. We went to find the people from the scrapyard who had been caring for him and found them there. At that stage, we had no idea what had happened. Was he lying in the road because of the warmth of the tar? Had he been hit by a car while crossing? Where had his handlers gone?”
SAFE used a canvas stretcher sheet to move the animal to the side of the road.
It was then that rescuers discovered Nunu had been shot.
“We noticed a small entry wound beneath his fur, consistent with a 9mm bullet. We made a decision to remove Nunu and get him veterinary treatment.”
SAFE said members sourced transport, a veterinarian and the required medication.
“After multiple phone calls to veterinary practices as far as Howick, we found a vet in Summerveld willing to assist and who had a portable X-ray machine. We also found a sanctuary where Nunu could recover afterwards.”
SAFE claimed the owner arrived at the scene and insisted that Nunu be euthanised.
“The vet on scene said she believed the bullet wound had not struck any major areas or his spine, and that the small amount of blood coming out was mixed with clear fluid, suggesting the bullet may have lodged in the fat layer of his neck.”
“We again advocated against euthanasia until accurate information could be obtained through X-rays. If his injuries meant a poor quality of life, then the decision could be made. If not, he deserved the chance to recover. The owner finally relented. The SPCA was also on scene,” SAFE said.
Nunu was transported to an equine and large animal veterinary specialist in Summerveld.
“The veterinary team conducted X-rays and assessments. The scans showed the bullet had travelled approximately 15 centimetres before fragmenting and lodging in the fat layer. No arteries or vital organs were affected."
“The veterinary team believes he has a good chance of making a full recovery. He was given antibiotics, pain medication and anti-inflammatory treatment. He is eating and drinking, but requires treatment for the next five days,” SAFE said.
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