Hogzilla

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03-22-2005, 20:52
Hosakawa Tito

Hogzilla

I watched this on tv late last night. The article is not as detailed as the tv program. DNA tests proved Hogzilla was a cross between a wild boar & feral hog. The landowner had a commercial fish raising business and fed these fish a high protein "fish food" he developed. The fish were raised and fed in ponds, and the theory is that Hogzilla fed on the fish feed that was strewn along the banks and shallow areas of the ponds. The landowner did exaggerate the size. The man in the picture is 6 feet tall, when compared to the hog 8 feet long and 800lbs is much more likely than 12 feet long and 1000lbs. Still a huge wild hog, most don't approach more than 300lbs due to their less nutritious wild food.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7264865/?GT1=6305
03-22-2005, 21:23
Big King Sanctaphrax

Re: Hogzilla

Did the farmer really need to kill him? It seems a bit harsh... :cry:
03-22-2005, 21:40
Hosakawa Tito

Re: Hogzilla

BKS, the farm is also a private hunting preserve that offers guided hunting trip packages for $$$. One reason why he exaggerated the hog's size, one of his guides shot it. The wild boar were introduced in his area 10-15 years ago after escaping from a game farm. They breed like rabbits, have no natural predators except man, and do extensive damage to crops and pasture. They root the ground like a rototiller. According to the program, Great Britain is having the same problem with them. The program was on the National Geographic Channel, look for it you might find it quite interesting.
03-22-2005, 21:45
Big King Sanctaphrax

Re: Hogzilla

Ah, I see. That does make the shooting seem a bit more reasonable.
03-22-2005, 22:40
Gawain of Orkeny

Re: Hogzilla

Why not tranqualize him tho. Im sure some circus or Zoo would have paid good money for it.
03-22-2005, 23:31
DemonArchangel

Re: Hogzilla

Yes, but the hams on that thing?
They could feed a family of four for a month.
03-22-2005, 23:56
KukriKhan

Re: Hogzilla

Snopes disputes the '12-ft, 1,000 lb' description as well:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/hogzilla.asp
and has some more background, tho' they don't doubt that a really, really big porker existed.

Now I can't wait for the PeTA folks to have their say.

I guess I missed, in the articles, what exact weapon the guy used to fell the beast. Anyone know?
03-23-2005, 00:05
Hosakawa Tito

Re: Hogzilla

I believe it was a high powered rifle.
03-23-2005, 03:13
Sasaki Kojiro

Re: Hogzilla

Quote:

Originally Posted by KukriKhan

Now I can't wait for the PeTA folks to have their say.

From "leg of hog" to leg of MAN it's only one step. Mammals are NOT stupid. They KNOW what's going to happen to them at the threshold to the next world. Their terror, their curses, their sufferings translate into all the diseases of humanity. Mammals are TOO CLOSE to humans in evolutionary terms to justify inclusion in our diet. The killer of the hog, the person who drags the animal to the market, the purchaser, the cook and the eater all equally share in the guilt for the demise of an innocent life.
03-23-2005, 03:44
Hosakawa Tito

Re: Hogzilla

Mmmm, bacon. Me love you long time Hogzilla.:yes:
03-23-2005, 04:18
Redleg

Re: Hogzilla

Instead of burying the Hog - they should of held an old fashion pig roast - they already had the hole dug.
03-23-2005, 08:56
Togakure

Re: Hogzilla

You guys are making me HUNGRY! [gets out pork chops to thaw].
03-23-2005, 21:02
Gawain of Orkeny

Re: Hogzilla

Hey wouldnt you think at least they could have taken it to a taxedermist?
03-23-2005, 23:51
Hosakawa Tito

Re: Hogzilla

I'm surprised they did not, but then this landowner strikes me as a P.T. Barnum type who wanted to hype & exaggerate the size of the animal for publicity sake. Look for the program on the National Geographic channel and tell me what you think.
03-24-2005, 00:53
Gawain of Orkeny

Re: Hogzilla

Quote:

I'm surprised they did not, but then this landowner strikes me as a P.T. Barnum type who wanted to hype & exaggerate the size of the animal for publicity sake.

This is my point . Even if it wasnt as big as he said it was still a remarkable animal and he sure could have made money displaying or selling it to someone. Do you think P.T. Barnum would have allowed it to be shot and them just buried?
03-24-2005, 03:57
Hosakawa Tito

Re: Hogzilla

Considering he claimed it was 12 feet long and 1000 lbs, when it really was 7 1/2 - 8 feet long and maybe 800 lbs, burying it kept the myth (and his exaggeration) alive. They even buried the head seperately just in case someone tried digging it up. Who knows why he felt compelled to do what he did, I certainly would have done as you suggested.
03-25-2005, 11:02
Mablung

Re: Hogzilla

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hosakawa Tito

BKS, the farm is also a private hunting preserve that offers guided hunting trip packages for $$$. One reason why he exaggerated the hog's size, one of his guides shot it. The wild boar were introduced in his area 10-15 years ago after escaping from a game farm. They breed like rabbits, have no natural predators except man, and do extensive damage to crops and pasture. They root the ground like a rototiller. According to the program, Great Britain is having the same problem with them. The program was on the National Geographic Channel, look for it you might find it quite interesting.

Ask for Obelix :yes: