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: Research in Action | Swine Cluster 4 - Activity 8: Precision Feeding with Dr. Aline Remus

Research in Action is a video series from Swine Innovation Porc that highlights the people and projects driving innovation in Canada's pork sector.

In this episode, Dr. Aline Remus (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) explains how precision feeding is helping producers improve efficiency, reduce feed costs and lower environmental impacts while supporting animal health and welfare.

As part of Swine Cluster 4 - Activity 8, this research is advancing precision livestock farming by tailoring nutrition to the needs of individual pigs or groups of pigs. The project aims to reduce feed costs, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses, and develop practical precision feeding systems that producers can confidently adopt on-farm.

By bringing together researchers from across Canada and around the world, this work is helping transform innovative research into practical solutions for a more sustainable and competitive Canadian pork sector.