Episode Information

What first comes to mind when you think of pigs? Mud wallows and pink, curly tails? Perhaps lucky symbols and money banks, or maybe just bacon sandwiches? Whatever it is, you’re probably underestimating the world’s amazing collection of pigs. Today they might be one of our favourite farm animals, but if we visit their cousins in the wild we start to reveal the unique and wonderful world of the pig. A year with wild boars and their relatives reveals a tender and dedicated matriarchal society, playful youngsters, speedy escape artists and powerful warriors. From warthogs in Africa to peccaries in America, pigs enrich their own environments and have shaped human history. They show us we are not alone as intelligent beings, and have become cultural icons and much loved friends. There’s certainly a magical power to the humble pig!