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: Methionine Requirements for Lactating Sows - Cierra Kozole

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Cierra Kozole, PhD candidate in Swine Nutrition at the University of Guelph, explains how methionine supports lactating sows beyond milk protein synthesis. She discusses updated requirement estimates, source comparisons, methylation demand, and why modern sow genetics may require more precise amino acid strategies. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Methionine supports protein synthesis while also serving critical functions through methylation pathways that influence multiple biological processes."

Meet the guest: Cierra Kozole / cierra-kozole-772b64253 is a PhD candidate in Swine Nutrition at the University of Guelph in Canada. Her doctoral research focuses on refining estimates of methionine requirements for primiparous lactating sows, including evaluating methionine sources, nutrient partitioning, methylation reactions, and the links among amino acid supply, milk production, and sow protein retention. Learn more from Cierra Kozole on The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.