Wilbur the ‘Freedom Pig’ a Hero After Five Months on the Run

A 150 lb feral pig has emerged as an unlikely hero after evading capture by the authorities in Florida for an incredible five months.

The pig, dubbed ‘Wilbur’ or the ‘freedom pig’ by supporters, has survived being shot with tranquiliser darts and a taser stun gun since first appearing in a park in the Cove neighbourhood of Panama City.

Last week, Mary Sittman a follower on the “Pig of the Cove” Facebook group launched to chronicle the pig’s adventures asked, “Is the pig a symbol of our desire to live free of government controls?”

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Exasperated staff at Bay County Animal Control have been trying to snare Wilbur since February, but the canny adversary has successfully managed to dash their attempts.

However, the animal control team are keen to stress that the debacle is not all fun and games and that they are not trying to kill the animal but only anxious to catch it before it hurts itself or a member of the public.

A day after officials were charged last Monday, they shot it with four tranquiliser darts but were demoralised when the pig simply looked as if it had had “a couple of good shots of tequila”.

According to Jim Crosby, director of Bay County Animal Control, “It’s not easy. You have a 150-pound pig with an attitude.”

Image Credit - DeusXFlorida on flickr

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