Coretta was one of the original Fuzzy Ferals who arrived in 2018 with Memphis, Martin, and Baby King. To this day, she remains inseparable from that little group. She’s a beauty of a feral pig with dark rimmed eyeliner and luscious curly locks. Like most of our ferals, she is true to her ancestry, which means she’s timid and cautious with humans. It’s a joy to witness ferals like Coretta living as close to a natural life as possible here in the safety of the refuge while surrounded by her family.
The Fuzzy Ferals
The Fuzzy Ferals started with just four pigs, but grew to a herd of eighteen in just four short months. Momma Memphis arrived from the Memphis Animal Shelter in October 2018 under the care of the former administration of this property. She was accompanied by Martin and Coretta, both fully grown, and baby King. Shortly after arriving, she gave birth to seven spotted babies, many of whom resembled Martin. Four months later, because King was neutered too late, she gave birth to seven more fuzzy little potatoes who all resembled King.
Prey animals like pigs are extremely efficient at procreation because the survival of their species depends on it. Females can become pregnant as soon as they deliver, and they can have three litters of up to fifteen babies a year. Males are fertile very quickly, which means caregivers need to exercise extreme caution when they have an unaltered male on the property.
The Fuzzy Ferals were spayed once OMI took over the Tennessee property, which further improved their chances for a long and healthy life. Female pigs are highly susceptible to reproductive abnormalities if left unspayed, which can significantly impact the quality and length of their lives. Not only are the The Fuzzy Ferals living in safety with their family, but they have now received full Sanctuary Babe status with the addition of an appropriate level of species-specific healthcare.
