This heroic hog is on its last hoof.
Livestock legend Zhu Jianqiang, whose name means “strong-willed pig” in Chinese, may soon pass away after 14 years — that’s 100 in pig years — the Global Times reported.
Zhu first made international headlines in 2008 when the brave animal survived 36 days while trapped under debris following a magnitude 8 earthquake in Sichuan province, which saw more than 69,000 lives lost, and over 18,000 go missing.
Wednesday marks the 13th anniversary of the devastating quake.
“Since it moved from the debris to the museum in 2008, numerous tourists have visited [Zhu] every day,” said Sichuan’s Jianchuan Museum, which has looked after the pig since that tragic event.
Zhu Jianqiang has been in poor health recently, according to its keepers at the Jianchuan Museum. Yi fang – Imaginechina“What’s really behind the attention is not just a pig, but a collective memory,” they wrote on Chinese social-media platform Weibo.
“It is a miracle of life; it is a symbol of strong will,” the museum added. At 14, Zhu has lived as long as most pigs could hope, with a typical lifespan of 15-20 years.
However Zhu’s health has deteriorated since March, the museum has reported.
Zhu Jianqiang has lived 14 years, the equivalent of about 100 in human years, according to his keeper, Gong, the Global Times reported. Pigs typically have a lifespan between 15 and 20 years. Yi fang – Imaginechina
Zhu Jianqiang was purchased from a livestock farmer by the Jianchuan Museum after the pig’s earthquake ordeal. APThe stalwart swine lost a staggering 220 pounds — from 330 pounds down to just 110 — while pinned under rubble in Sichuan’s Pengzhou area. The nation was so captivated by the rescue that Jianchuan Museum owner Fan Jianchuan purchased the pig so that Zhu could be celebrated for posterity.
“The purpose of me buying it is to avoid it from being slaughtered, but I never expected it could live until today,” Fan told local news media in 2018, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
The plucky porker is so popular that dozens of businesses in China have used Zhu’s name as part of their brand, SCMP has found.
In 2011, Zhu was tapped for cloning by scientists in Shenzhen, and “surprised” researchers with an impressive six genetically identical piglets.
Zhu Jianqiang is so popular in China that dozens of businesses have used the pig in their branding. AP
Zhu Jianqiang was cloned by scientists in 2008, and “surprised” everyone with six genetically identical piglets. APFans came to social media to deliver their preemptive tributes to Zhu’s remarkable life.
“I’ve been to the museum twice and saw the pig. I was touched by the tour guide’s remarks sharing the pig’s experience,” read one reply to the museum’s post, according to Global Times.
Wrote another, “Incredible creature! Zhu Jianqiang’s story has encouraged us.”
