Philippines: A rare mule-footed hog

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Rare pig with solid, non-cloven hooves found in Nueva Vizcaya
FLORO TAGUINOD, GMANews.TV
03/09/2010 06:53 PM


BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya - A rare pig with mule-like hooves is being raised in a farm in this landlocked province.


The mulefoot is the rarest of American swine breeds because of its distinctive solid hooves.


An article from the American Mulefoot Pig Association & Registry has confirmed that the pig is unusual.

Mulefoots are a breed of domestic pig which is named for its solid, non-cloven hooves.

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Shown is a mulefoot hog raised by William Ongto Jr. in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya. The breed is known for its distinctive solid hooves Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV

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These pigs are typically black, on rare occasions having white spots, and reach a weight of 400-600 pounds by the age of two years.

These hogs likely originated with those brought by the Spanish to the Gulf Coast.

Articles from the internet show that the said hog breed flourished during the early half of the century, but by 1985, it was said that only one herd of mulefoot hogs has remained and these belong to a hog raiser from Louisiana, Missouri.

Mulefoot hogs are considered by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy to be critically rare, as there are now fewer than 150 documented purebred hogs of this specie in existence.

William Ongto, a wild hog raiser from Bagabag town and the owner of the said mulefoot, said it was a gift from a friend who lives in the mountains of Nueva Vizcaya.

In the meantime, provincial veterinarian Crisanto Seraspi confirmed that the mulefoot pig being raised by Ongto is definitely one of a kind.

Theres no question about it, Mr. Ongto is in possession of a very, very rare hog specie," he told GMANews.TV. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV

From GMANews.tv; see the source article here.

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