Fearless pig saves animals from bear attack

Jul 31, 2023

Barbie is going viral on social media, but it’s not the Barbie you think!

A pig, named Barbie-Q, is gaining popularity for its heroic standoff with a black bear.

Owners, Crystal and Brandon Walls, were away from their farm in East Sooke, British Columbia, but hurried back when they got word that a fence had been breached by a bear. When they got back and watched security camera footage, they witnessed Barbie-Q saving the day.

A black bear had made its way into the enclosure with their livestock. While all the animals fled to safety, Barbie stayed to protect the area.

Camera footage shows Barbie charging and the black bear running a few steps away. Barbie herded the other animals back into safety and guarded the area for 30 minutes until the bear left.

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Video: What It Takes to Stop African Swine Fever - Dr. Jishu Shi

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Jishu Shi, Professor of Vaccine Immunology at Kansas State University, discusses African swine fever prevention and vaccine development. He explains why ASF differs from classical swine fever and swine influenza, how the disease threatens trade and pork production, why immunization safety remains a critical hurdle, and what producers can do now to reduce the risk of introduction. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Before a safe and efficacious vaccine for ASF can be commercialized, what we really have is prevention."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jishu Shi is Professor of Vaccine Immunology and the Dr. Wayne & Hilda Appleton Endowed Professor at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He directs the Center on Biologics Development and Evaluation and the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health. A veterinarian and vaccine immunologist, Dr. Shi has focused on vaccines for pigs and has worked on African swine fever vaccine development, control, diagnostics, and international training since 2018. Learn more from Dr. Jishu Shi on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.