Three pigs at a British Columbia animal rescue courageously helped stop a late-night bear encounter before it caused more harm.
After their owners heard a piercing squeal from the enclosure, they rushed out to find the intruder had already been cornered.
Here's what to know
According to the Prince George Citizen, a bear got onto the property at Tickled Pig Animal Rescue in British Columbia, Canada, and engaged in a scuffle with pigs in one of the pens. Tank, Lucy, Lilly, and Ellie were all in the enclosure when the commotion started.
Recalling the moment, Kerri Hegel, co-owner and operator of Tickled Pig Animal Rescue, said, "We were watching TV, it was about somewhere around midnight, and we heard a really high-pitched pig squeal."
When Hegel and fellow Tickled Pig Animal Rescue owner-operator Steven Fisher went outside to check, they found the bear near the fence after a brief fight with the rescued pigs. Fisher then grabbed a two-by-four and drove the animal away.
After their efforts to corner the bear, Tank, Lucy, and Lilly ended up with only minor scratches.
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More background
The pigs appear to have held the bear in place long enough for their caretakers to step in.
As Fisher described it, "When we went out there, the bear was actually right against the fence."
The owners suspect the bear climbed the fence in hopes of reaching the rescue's geese, chickens, and turkeys, which can all provide an easy meal for hungry predators.
What can be done?
Strong fencing, secure feed storage, motion-triggered lights, and regular enclosure checks can all help reduce the chances of attracting bears and other wildlife.
The rescue has also adjusted its plans after the encounter, deciding to build new duck and goose enclosures right by their house so they can monitor them more closely. They have also bought cameras to keep an eye on wildlife passing through.
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