Sheep... or pig? Either way, woolly Mangalicas hog attention

Your first look at a Mangalica (Mangalitsa in the U.K.) pig is probably going to lead to a second, and a third ... and more. That's because most of us have never seen a pig that also happens to be covered inwool.

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But thanks to social media, the Mangalica is fast becoming the cuddliest porker we ever did see. And we're squealing with delight!

It's a Hungarian breed of pig, and as breeder Wilhelm Kohl told Modern Farmer, "If you treat them nicely, they'll become as tame as dogs — they'll follow you, play with you."

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Of course, some regard pigs more as pork than as pets. Kohl calls the Mangalica the "Kobe beef of pork." Its meat, he says, is marbled with fat, making it more delicious that what most pig breeds yield.

The Mangalica was originally developed in the 1800s and raised for its lard, but slowly lost favor as a pig of choice for farmers in Europe. The breed has seen a revival since the 1990s, and Mangalicas are now starting to be imported to the United States.

https://www.instagram.com/steffymoran/

Vienna-born, Michigan-based Kohl raises his pigs free-range. "The Mangalitsa pigs are great for that — they like to forage, dig for grubs, they don't wait around for you to feed them," he says. "So they're the perfect pig for what people want at this moment."

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Of course, most of us are just thinking about how we can sit down and pet one of these big guys — not eat it!

“I’m Not Leaving You, Mama!” This is What Love Looks Like.

UPDATE: Lizzie and Phantom are currently recovering in an outdoor koala ward within the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital . They’re doing swimmingly; Phantom is both gaining weight and exploring his temporary habitat. And of course, mama and baby are sharing more adorable cuddles! For most species in the animal kingdom, the bond between mother and baby is incredibly strong. That's pretty much inarguable. But last week, two koalas in Australia further proved it. After they were hit by a car, Lizzie and her joey, Phantom were welcomed into the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Six-month-old Phantom had escaped the accident unscathed. Lizzie, however, wasn’t looking so good, what with facial trauma and a collapsed lung. In order to survive, she needed to go under the surgeon’s knife. But this marsupial mama wasn’t alone during the life-saving procedure. Phantom accompanied her and clung to her as she received treatment. The vets let them be; Phantom was too y...

Stop holding the (2018) Yulin dog meat & lychee festival in Yulin, (Guangxi) China.

This "festival" is an event that starts on June 21st of every year during the summer solstice and it lasts for 10 long horrifying days in which 10,000–15,000 dogs (as well as cats) are tortured and then consumed. However, it is estimated 25 million dogs are stolen, sold, bought, and eaten every year with the illegal dog and cat meat trade. A larger percentage of these dogs consist of pets stolen right from their loving families. The rest of the dogs are captured strays from the streets and some raised in dog farms. After these animals are stolen, bought, or captured they are then transported for days without any food or water, crammed in tiny cages together so tightly that they are unable to even move. At the yulin festival, throughout those days, these animals will be hung, burned, skinned, boiled, torched, dismembered, electrocuted and beaten...ALIVE..out in the streets for public view. But If that isn't bad enough, they intentionally torture these animals in f...

Protect Our Waters: Say No To Plastic Waste!

Plastic garbage. It’s something we all see everyday. Don’t be fooled to think that these plastics are merely an eyesore. We’ve become so accustomed to using plastic utensils, straws, water bottles and bags that it’s easy to forget the impact this has on our environment and climate. My name is Tyler and I’m in my fourth year of university in Canada, where I’m earning a degree in Environmental Studies. I'm also an environmental activist. Even for someone like me, it’s hard to avoid using plastic at places like fast food restaurant, and that needs to change. I’ve started this movement to highlight calls to action happening around the world, and to grow a community of everyday citizens pressing governments and companies to get serious about cleaning up our rivers, lakes and oceans . When we work together, and keep the pressure on, we really can make an impact. I know this firsthand, after collaborating with activists across Canada to successfully urge th...

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