The Clever
Pig Lab
More Than Just Meat
Every year, hundreds of millions of pigs live and die without ever being seen for who they are. In 2022 alone, over 779 million pigs were kept globally — 5.2 million in the UK.
These animals are often reduced to statistics and products, rather than recognised as sensitive, intelligent individuals. As children, many of us feel a natural love for animals but somewhere along the way, we learn to look past their eyes and think only of their purpose on our plates. Instead of asking who pigs are, we’ve focused on how they taste.
The Clever Pig Lab
In 2014, a dedicated team from the Messerli Research Institute set out to change that. At the Clever Pig Lab, 37 Kune Kune pigs were given something that most pigs never experience: the freedom to be themselves.
On a peaceful meadow with wooded corners, these pigs were born and raised in a world where they were nurtured, respected, and understood. They lived in stable social groups, formed friendships, and explored the world around them.
Through kind and patient research, the pigs were given the opportunity to show us what they’re truly capable of — learning names, recognizing faces, using touchscreens, and even teaching each other new skills.
A Hopeful Future
When the project ended in 2022, these incredible animals were not forgotten. They found a permanent home at Gut Aiderbichl — a sanctuary designed just for them, with open pasture, soft bedding, and enrichment areas where they can continue to live full, happy lives.
Their story is one of transformation: from unseen and unheard to known, loved, and safe.
We Need Your Help!
Countless more pigs still wait for the chance of freedom. Your support can help rewrite their story — to offer not just survival, but dignity, joy, and love. Donate today, and be part of a kinder world for pigs.
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