Police to meet rescuers as hunt continues for person who shot Nunu the pig

Rescue group SAFE will meet South African Police Service (SAPS) as the search continues to identify who shot Nunu, the free-roaming pig that was found with a gunshot wound to the neck in Phoenix, north of Durban.

Follow-up meeting with police

SAFE, a Ballito-based animal rescue organisation, said it had a follow-up appointment with SAPS regarding the shooting case. The organisation added that it would update the public if there were any breakthroughs on who shot Nunu.

Two separate investigations

The SPCA is continuing to investigate a separate case related to alleged beating of Nunu. SAFE’s update links the shooting to an earlier incident in which the pig was reportedly beaten by a group of men.

Nunu’s condition and rescue

SAFE said Nunu was shot in the neck and is now recovering in the organisation’s care. The organisation described the rescue and rehabilitation as challenging and said Nunu was finally back on his feet, calling the moment “a story of incredible resilience and victory on Nunu’s part.”

How rescuers found Nunu

SAFE members first responded when Nunu had been beaten and lying on his side next to the road, according to the organisation. Residents at the scene told rescuers the incident had occurred a few hours earlier and that the pig had not stood up.

SAFE said SPCA officials were on scene and had contacted Nunu’s owner. The SPCA reportedly obtained telephonic permission to euthanise the pig because he appeared to be “paralysed and suffering.” SAFE examined the wounds to his tail and buttocks and asked that euthanasia be halted while they assessed him.

After being given fruit and water mixed with a small amount of sugar, and treated with Terramycin spray, SAFE said the pig stood up and began walking around. SAFE members later returned when police contacted them to say Nunu was lying in the road and nobody could move him. When rescuers arrived they discovered a small entry wound beneath his fur, which SAFE described as consistent with a 9mm bullet, and decided to remove Nunu and get veterinary treatment.

Treatment and care

SAFE said they sourced transport, a veterinarian and medication. They located a vet in Summerveld with a portable X-ray machine and a sanctuary for Nunu to recover. The organisation said the owner initially insisted on euthanasia but relented after the vet on scene believed the bullet had not struck major areas or the spine and that the small amount of blood mixed with clear fluid suggested the bullet may have lodged in the fat layer of his neck.

Nunu was transported to an equine and large animal veterinary specialist in Summerveld for treatment and has since been in SAFE’s care.

Nunu’s place in the community

Residents told SAFE that Nunu had lived in the area for many years and was a free-roaming pig owned by a scrapyard. According to people who worked there, he arrived as a piglet in 2004; SAFE noted that if that is accurate it would make him 22 years old. Community members said he had never been harmed, was well-loved, fed apples and fruit by residents, and even petted by some children.

Next steps

SAFE said it will keep the public updated on any breakthroughs in the shooting investigation. The SPCA continues its probe into the alleged beating.