The rescue organisation caring for Nunu, the pig that captured the hearts of South Africans after surviving a brutal attack, is set to meet with police on Monday as efforts continue to identify the person responsible for shooting the animal.
SAFE, a Ballito-based animal rescue organisation, said it had a follow-up appointment with the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding the shooting case, while the SPCA continued to investigate the separate case relating to Nunu’s alleged beating.
“We will keep everyone updated if there are any breakthroughs on who shot Nunu,” the organisation said.
The update comes as Nunu continues his recovery after being shot in the neck just days after he was allegedly beaten by a group of men in Phoenix, north of Durban.
SAFE said the pig was finally back on his feet.
“This has been one of the most challenging rescues for us, treating and rehabilitating an animal of this size. This moment is a story of incredible resilience and victory on Nunu’s part.”
Nunu, a well-known pig that roamed freely through Phoenix, north of Durban, suffered a gunshot wound to the neck just days after the animal was savagely beaten by a group of men.
SAFE members responded to the scene in Phoenix last month when Nunu had been beaten.
“We went to help them. When we arrived, a large male pig was lying on its side next to the road. Numerous residents from the area were gathered around him. The incident had apparently occurred a few hours earlier, and the pig had not stood up,” SAFE said.
“On arrival, we were informed that the pig had been seriously injured during a beating and appeared to be paralysed.”
SPCA officials were also on scene and contacted the pig’s owner.
SAFE said the SPCA obtained telephonic permission to euthanise the pig because he appeared to be “paralysed and suffering”.
“We examined the wounds the pig had sustained to his tail and buttocks area. None were close to his spine or vital organs. None were deep or bleeding excessively. We then asked if the euthanasia could be halted while we assessed whether the pig was simply exhausted from the ordeal and needed time to recover.”
SAFE asked residents to donate fruit and water mixed with a small amount of sugar.
“The pig ate and drank readily. He still did not get up and remained lying on his side. We then applied Terramycin spray to his wounds, at which point the pig stood up on all four legs and began walking around,” SAFE said.
At the scene, SAFE representatives learnt from community members that Nunu had lived in the area for many years.
“He was a free-roaming pig owned by the scrapyard up the road. According to people who worked there, he arrived as a piglet in 2004. If that is accurate, it would make him 22 years old.
“In the many years he lived in the community, residents said he had never been harmed. He was well-loved, fed apples and fruit by residents, and even petted by some of the children,” SAFE said.
Over the next few days, Nunu remained on the roadside while his owner cleared space at a scrapyard for a pig pen.
However, the animal reportedly refused to return to the scrapyard, and a handler stayed with him.
SAFE visited the pig again and found him under the care of a handler on the side of the road.
A day later SAFE received a phone call from the police saying Nunu was lying in the road and nobody could move him.
SAFE members rushed to assist.
“Upon arrival, we found Nunu lying in the centre of the road. We went to find the people from the scrapyard who had been caring for him and found them there. At that stage, we had no idea what had happened. Was he lying in the road because of the warmth of the tar? Had he been hit by a car while crossing? Where had his handlers gone?”
SAFE used a canvas stretcher sheet to move the animal to the side of the road.
It was then that rescuers discovered Nunu had been shot.
“We noticed a small entry wound beneath his fur, consistent with a 9mm bullet. We made a decision to remove Nunu and get him veterinary treatment.”
SAFE said members sourced transport, a veterinarian and the required medication.
“After multiple phone calls to veterinary practices as far as Howick, we found a vet in Summerveld willing to assist and who had a portable X-ray machine. We also found a sanctuary where Nunu could recover afterwards.”
SAFE claimed the owner arrived at the scene and insisted that Nunu be euthanised.
“The vet on scene said she believed the bullet wound had not struck any major areas or his spine, and that the small amount of blood coming out was mixed with clear fluid, suggesting the bullet may have lodged in the fat layer of his neck.”
“We again advocated against euthanasia until accurate information could be obtained through X-rays. If his injuries meant a poor quality of life, then the decision could be made. If not, he deserved the chance to recover. The owner finally relented. The SPCA was also on scene,” SAFE said.
Nunu was transported to an equine and large animal veterinary specialist in Summerveld for treatment. Since then Nunu has been in SAFE’s care.
