Abandoned piglets rescued from mud and neglect

Two piglets found abandoned have been given a fresh start after being rescued in a bad condition.

Emma and Ellie, now three months old, were discovered dumped along a driveway in Glastonbury on 13 February, crying out in distress, said rescuers the RSPCA.

After a month of proper food and clean bedding in RSPCA care, the sisters have now moved to Bicton Agricultural College near Exeter.

Staff there have welcomed them into The Animal Zone, where more than 130 species live.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Clara Scully said the pair were underweight and desperate for help when she arrived.

"I was shocked to see the condition they were in, but before I even saw them, I could hear them calling and crying out, letting us know they were starving and desperately seeking help," she said.

"It's been wonderful to see their transformation over the last few weeks; they are now gaining weight and are full of personality."

Emma and Ellie have settled in, sharing their new home with Kune Kune Matilda and Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs Dylan and Wallace, who also arrived from the RSPCA.

Animal Zone manager Miles Price said Emma and Ellie had quickly become favourites among staff.

He said: "Whether it's wallowing, exploring their field, or demanding a scratch behind the ear Emma and Ellie have made Bicton College a home for life where they will be integrated into the curriculum to educate the next generation of industry experts on the intelligent and complex nature of pigs."

The rescue comes as the RSPCA warns animal abandonment is rising as cost of living pressures affect owners.

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