Lards of the Flies

May 8, 2015 1:12 PM

In China, Pigs Are Flying. Almost. [New York Times]

"With summer almost here, swine across China are jumping or being shoved off platforms and splashing into pools and ponds, where they bob around before paddling to shore."

posted by Fizz (8 comments total)

It should be noted, not everyone is a fan of this. From the article:

Animal rights advocates, however, have been restrained in their criticism. Jeff Zhou, a China representative for Compassion in World Farming, which campaigns against animal abuse, said pigs in China’s factory farms suffer worse fates than diving, including castration without anesthesia and immobilization in sow stalls and farrowing crates. But platform diving was not necessarily a pig’s idea of fun, he added. “It can bring a certain kind of stress to them at the very beginning,” he said. He said farmers should base exercise regimes “on the needs of animals, not the amusement of humans.”

posted by Fizz at 1:26 PM on May 8, 2015 [2 favorites]

“It can bring a certain kind of stress to them"
Shaken bacon?
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:55 PM on May 8, 2015

MetaFilter: not necessarily a pig’s idea of fun
posted by neroli at 1:58 PM on May 8, 2015 [3 favorites]

Well, I guess this is not the worst article to read about pigs in China.
posted by peripathetic at 2:15 PM on May 8, 2015

If only THIS were the real reason behind the jumping:

“It can bring a certain kind of stress to them at the very beginning,” he said. He said farmers should base exercise regimes “on the needs of animals, not the amusement of humans.”

posted by Fizz at 2:27 PM on May 8, 2015 [1 favorite]

I couldn't bring myself to watch this so I watched the similarly-themed Magical Trevor 4 again for the first time in years. You're welcome.
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:00 PM on May 8, 2015

I didnt like it ... one of the vidoes linked in NYT article had a running pig which had a bottle tied to its tail.

if a pig wants exercise, just give it space and feed it proportionately .. they will manage the exercise part ... its not like they have internet access or something.

Its basically stupid and cruel for the benefit of humans.. ... not on the level of foie gras but the idea is the same.
posted by TheLittlePrince at 1:12 PM on May 9, 2015

As if Chinese rivers weren't haram enough already.
posted by klue at 1:27 PM on May 9, 2015