Hog Genius: The Amazing Pig
November 21, 2007David Hamlin - Producer
Working for National Geographic, I’ve been lucky enough to film wild animals all over the planet including chimps, gorillas, anacondas, pythons, crocs, lions, etc. But Hog Genius this was the first time National Geographic asked me to produce a film about a domesticated animal. At the beginning, I wasn’t all that excited about filming in barnyards across the planet. I preferred making movies in wild places. But by the end of this project, the amazing pig had forced me to reconsider my appreciation, understanding, and connection to ALL living creatures.
Before I left the office for the field, my team and I did a lot of research into pig intelligence: pigs were clearly one of the smartest farm animals on the planet, but what exactly did that mean? I learned a lot on our first shoot at the Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
Iowa State’s Dr. Anna Johnson studies pig welfare. How are these amazing animals faring in countless farms and barnyards across the planet? Anna would be my team’s first portal into the wonderful world of pigs. She’s the kind of person who truly loves her job. Every day for Anna is Hog Heaven.
Our mission with Dr. Johnson was to document the incredible birthing and maternity behavior of domestic pigs. As you can see in Hog Genius, it’s quite a remarkable process: over a dozen piglets are born at one time, scrambling up and over each other in search of mother’s milk.
What you don’t see in the program are the production challenges we faced.
My picture is a bit of an exaggeration. But working in a pig barn is hot, crowded and, yes, aromatic. None of the production crew had ever worked in an environment quite like it.
But to witness the incredible process of pigs giving birth, and the ‘brilliant’ behavior of the newborn piglets learning how to survive, it was well worth it.
Our next stop was to document two of the world’s premiere performing pig troupes: Seattle’s Valentine’s Performing Pigs and Denver’s Top Hogs. We were amazed at the learning abilities of these pigs: they seemed to be intelligent, inquisitive, always ready to learn and perform! One of Valentine’s Performing Pigs, named Petunia (the black one who jumps through a hoop and rolls a barrel), had something special our cameras couldn’t capture: she smells exactly like maple syrup! One of the Top Hogs we filmed had a certain something I think we did capture: the striking face of a star, Mudslinger.
Mudslinger is the pretty pink pig who does amazing tricks with his owner, John Vincent. Some of you may have noticed that Mudslinger is the same pink pig we used in the White Studio environment edited throughout the program. We asked Mudslinger to interact with some pretty crazy props during this part of the shoot (...like a vacuum cleaner) and she always did an amazing job. Whenever she arrived on set, Mudslinger always knew exactly what to do: interacting with various objects, performing exactly as I had hoped. She’s truly a star!
| "But working in a pig barn is hot, crowded and, yes, aromatic." |
Our next production challenge may have been the biggest of them all - Hogzilla. The story of Hogzilla is truly a global phenomenon. Everyone seems to have heard about freakishly huge pigs sometimes found in the American Southeast. We decided to incorporate Hogzilla into Hog Genius because how pigs grow to such enormous sizes, and how their unique genetic make-up enables young feral and domestic pigs to “morph” into one another, on occasion, is truly remarkable.
Next we traveled to South Carolina to film “Son of Hogzilla” at Eddie Wilson’s Taxidermy Studio. The most amazing part of this shoot was actually being in the presence of this gigantic “stuffed” pig head. It was so much bigger than I had imagined.
But there was an even bigger pig head that didn’t make it into the Final Cut of the show: the prop head that was used in the film, “Hogzilla: The Other White Meat Bites Back” that was featured in Hog Genius.
This head was outrageously big -- but it was actually based on a prehistoric pig species that grew to this size. This scene didn’t make it into the final show, but here’s a look at the true measure of a giant prehistoric pig....
Our last shooting location was just outside Oslo, Norway, at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. Here we joined scientists Dr. IngeLisse Andersen and Dr. Adroaldo Zanella. Along with Iowa State’s Dr. Anna Johnson, these two researchers are deeply committed to improving the lives of farm pigs worldwide. Our team traveled to Norway to film pigs ‘under stress’ in a pioneering experiment. I knew this was important research to better understand the intelligence and emotional lives of pigs worldwide. But what I didn’t know is how much these experiments would affect me while documenting this powerful research. For me, the work in Norway brought together all the themes of Hog Genius.
The bottom line: As I hope Hog Genius shows, pigs are highly intelligent, have rich emotional lives, and are deeply affected by the same trauma that can cripple human beings. Witnessing pigs struggling to find a hidden platform in a pool, or searching for refuge in an elevated maze, confirmed my sense of how similar we humans and pigs are. We look nothing alike, but we are clearly kindred spirits: and that’s the lasting Genius of Hogs to me...
Comments (26)
My one year old pet pig (Royal Dandy Breed)is an excellent companion pet He is so snugglie, clean and cute I aggree they are very smart and have emotions like humans I am excited to watch the broadcast HOG GENIUS pigs are amazing the last I have learned so much from the little guy
Posted by Cordell Hull | November 23, 2007 6:47 PM
Well done show, but it also left me with an ache in my heart. It's sickening that such an incredible, beautiful, intelligent animal is exploited, confined in slat floored pens, taken away from their mother before proper weaning time and then brutally killed for 'food'. This same wonderful, intelligent animal is also exploited and used to correct human ailments that may very well be caused by eating pig meat to begin with! Ugh! I will never understand how human"kind" can be so cruel and heartless as to inflict unnecessary suffering and death on beautiful, innocent and intelligent beings. I do hope that many people who watch this episode will also make the connection and perhaps think twice before having that sausage or bacon...etc.. for breakfast.
Help end animal cruelty one meal at a time~ www.tryveg.com
Posted by Marie | November 24, 2007 10:35 PM
Marie's comments above are almost verbatim what I wanted to say about the show. I wish that National Geographic would have shown the suffering and violence that pigs endure everyday around the world through the raising, transportation and slaughter of pigs raised for consumption of their flesh. As we now look back on our treatment of African American slaves and people in concentration camps, we will look back on our treatment of pigs and other species one day and wonder how we humans could have committed the atrocities we have.
A plant-based diet is the most powerful step one person can take toward living a non-violent life. Visit www.pcrm.org for more information.
Posted by Rae Sikora | November 25, 2007 10:33 AM
The only thing pigs get out of their association with humans is a deal with the devil!
Posted by JC | November 25, 2007 10:37 AM
Put down the bacon! Report emphasizes cancer-fat links
There is more evidence than ever that a person who weighs too much is more likely to develop cancer, a landmark report said Wednesday. And forget eating bacon, sausage and lunchmeat. No amount is considered completely safe, according to the analysis from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund.
An international panel of experts reviewed more than 7,000 large-scale studies and spent five years developing the report (www.dietandcancerreport.org).
Excess body fat increases the risk of cancer of the colon, kidney, pancreas, esophagus and uterus as well as postmenopausal breast cancer, the report says...
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-10-31-cancer_N.htm
Posted by JC | November 25, 2007 10:56 AM
Dangerous bacteria strain linked to antibiotic use in swine
A dangerous strain of bacteria resistant to the antibiotic methicillin now kills more people in the United States than AIDS, emphysema, or homicide, according to a government study. The bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), has long been known to thrive in hospitals, but has now spread into the general community, where it is spread by contact with clothing or skin. New studies from Europe and Canada suggest that some MRSA may originate in swine operations and spread via pig farmers and their families into the general community. The U.S. government does not know whether use of antibiotics in livestock in the United States is contributing to community-associated MRSA, because it is not testing U.S. livestock for the presence of bacteria...
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/feed/feed-november-2007.html#4
Posted by JC | November 25, 2007 11:20 AM
All those millions of pigs spend their short lives being tortured in factory farms in unbearable conditions and then slaughtered. How can we say how smart and wonderful they are and yet treat them so inhumanely? You should do a program on factory farms. Then people can see that they also feel suffering and pain.
Posted by ln | November 27, 2007 3:13 AM
Plz What else are pigs for food! thats it. "inhumanely" what a bunnyhugger, smart and wonderful a little too smart for there own good the ones that made it to freedom are pushing native species to extinction screw the pigs be worried about the animals that where here first not some exotic that was brought here for FOOD!
Posted by Jimmy | November 27, 2007 10:33 AM
Jimmy~ Funny how you seem to be the only one here that does not quite comment on the show or the article---nor do you even add anything even remotely interesting or thought provoking. Did you even read or watch the show?
Actually, I truly doubt you have the time as you're probably too busy being a 'troll' anywhere you can find...hope you have fun with that--because you only amuse yourself. How sad indeed.
Posted by loathestrolls | November 27, 2007 12:11 PM
Yes I did watch the show jackass, pigs are smart i give them that their physical changes are amazing but, i was responding to someone else's
comment how we should save them, and to Rae Sikora comment Hitler and Charles Mason were both vegetarians. So a plant based diet isn't the most powerful step a person can take to a non-violent life
Posted by doesn't mind being a troll | November 28, 2007 10:17 AM
Not that it would matter if Hitler or Manson were vegetarian, but you ought to do a bit more extensive research 'troll'. For one thing, some people are vegetarian for their own health---it has nothing to do with compassion for animals nor living a non violent life--BIG difference between those people and people who don't eat animals out of compassion for all life. Besides all of that--a person has the absolute power to reduce and eliminate animal suffering simply by not eating animals---I'd say that's pretty powerful. As Marie stated: "Help end animal cruelty one meal at a time"
so simple and yet so powerful...
Posted by loathestrolls | November 29, 2007 1:07 AM
To the readers of this post, please keep this conversation civil and please do not personally attack one another. Thank you.
Posted by Greg Chapman | November 29, 2007 7:50 AM
yeah well the k9's we have aren't for opening bags of potato chips being vegitarian for your health is fine I don't care. NO. 1 To Rae Sikora no a plant based diet isn't the way to a non violent life. NO. 2 to Marie i will think twice about picking up bacon or sausage depending on which one i want in to morning. NO. 3 to loathestrolls call me what you want I'm a hunter yes i against animal abuse (like hitting dogs etc.) no i'm not against animals for food and i never will be. animals i hunt don't suffer they have a swift death now excuse me while i go have a baconater.
Posted by Jimmy | November 29, 2007 10:20 AM
To Jimmy~ My my, a bit overly defensive aren't you? Oh, and those 'canines' you refer to---they are MUCH more feasible at tearing open a bag of chips than they are at tearing into the hide and raw flesh of an animal.
Funny how you need to slice, tenderize, cook and then cut meat into small bite sized pieces with UTENSILS and NOT with those canines of yours. Sorry, human teeth and jaws are more suited for a plant diet. Do a little research yourself.
Oh and by the way, just exactly how are you an authority on what a non-violent life is? The fact that you kill innocent animals doesn't exactly give you much clout in that judgement now does it.
Posted by pitiesignorance | November 29, 2007 9:30 PM
I quote when i say non violent-life. innocence is for humans not for animals. animals thrive on instinct not on morals i bet you if you went to a bear and said "are u innocent" he do do one of two things run off or kill you. not sit there think it over. animals don't give a damn on how you label them innocent they just take one day at a time fight or flight. the front part of our teeth are made to sink in and tear eat some beef jerky sometime you'll see it at work
Posted by Jimmy | November 30, 2007 10:36 AM
"innocence is for humans not for animals"
and that is nothing more than your numbed, heartless view. And about that bear having "morals" or not---just what does that have to do with HUMANS who are capable of having 'morals', reason and the ability to have COMPASSION for all animals? Never mind. You are nothing more than a closed minded, brainwashed person who has been numbed from having any sense of compassion for life as you've been programmed (more than likely from a male elder) to kill without remorse. Good for you.
If reincarnation is possible, perhaps some people come back perhaps as human but more fortunate than the previous life. Perhaps some will come back as a factory farmed animal who will be so 'fortunate' to experience the joys of confinement,branding, castration (without anesthesia), electric prods, 'rape racks' etc..and ultimately, a brutal death...personally, I do hope that reincarnation exists, how 'bout you?
Posted by pitiesignorance | November 30, 2007 8:09 PM
"My my, a bit overly defensive aren't you?" yes i do hope there is i'll end up as a carnivore and you'll end up eating plants like you want with your buddys aka factory farm animals. and no i have not been "programmed" i just enjoy the thrill of the hunt and family time with my dad and uncles I don't regret that and why should I. "to kill without remorse" thats for vegatarians like Charles Manson and Hitler
Posted by Jimmy | November 30, 2007 11:11 PM
hey genius, obviously you don't know how reincarnation and karma are linked. Uh, and I think you clearly proved my point about the 'programming' by the elders--hello? You didn't exactly wake up in the middle of toddlerhood and decide to kill---your ELDERS---(that means daddy and uncles, case ya didn't know) had to condition and 'toughen' you up to do so (that's how programming/conditoning works). I'm guessing there were alot of good hard pats on the back to aid in the programming.
Also, get over your ridiculous Hitler/Manson deal---first of all it's not factual...and...uh...hate to tell ya but throughout history would you care to list all of the meat eating mass murderers? Didn't think so. Get over it already.
This discussion is over for it is a waste of space and other readers time. You enjoy killing animals and participate in violent activities that kill INNOCENT animals (don't bother to get in a huff over the word "innocent"--perhaps you ought to look the word up and gather the various meanings). I live peacefully and non violently. Period. End of discussion.
Posted by pitiesignorance | December 1, 2007 11:51 AM
fine in fact i do enjoy it and you know what i'll send you a picture sometime later
Posted by Jimmy | December 1, 2007 4:40 PM
I am pretty disgusted by the badgering and name calling that has transpired on this post. That kind of immature approach to voicing your opinions will get you nowhere. Can we talk more about the show? I thought it was very well done. I can't believe pigs are so similar to us--in their behavior and their anatomical make-up!
Posted by pig lover | December 5, 2007 10:34 AM
great show david Hamlin. Bill coursey. Thanks !!!
Posted by sonofhogzilla | December 21, 2007 2:43 PM
I didn't see the show, but I have some advice: if you don't "feed" trolls they're more likely to starve to death ;-)
Posted by poshpaws | December 28, 2007 1:39 PM
Pigs are soooooooooo cute they my fav animal
Posted by Anonymous | February 2, 2008 10:42 PM
I loved the show. Never realized pigs where so intelligent! I seriously thought they were dumb animals.
I just read that there apparently exists a proverb in connection with prejudice "Give a pig a bad name and hang him".
Posted by Renier | March 9, 2008 8:05 AM
What a great show!I actully have 2 pet pigs myself.Pork Chop who is 2yrs and 1000lbs and porketta who is 1yr and about 450lbs.They are very smart and they can learn incredible fast.I got the at 2 weeks old from a pig farm.It was awful.At least I know I could save 2 that will live out long happy lives.Thanks again for the wonderful job you did with the show.Hey any chance I could buy a dvd of hog genius?In fact I know of a few people that would like to buy one.
Posted by Tammy | April 4, 2008 3:35 PM
Check out the story at www.sonofhogzilla.com or .net
Posted by Bill Coursey | April 27, 2008 12:21 PM