The Feral Pig That Drank 18 Beers and Fought a Cow

In 2013, campers at a rest area on the DeGrey River east of Port Hedland, Western Australia woke up to find something that sounds like the setup to a bad joke: an extremely hungover wild pig sprawled by the riverbank, surrounded by empty beer cans.

This wasn't fiction. The pig had raided the campsite during the night, gone on an 18-beer bender, and topped off the evening by getting chased around by a cow.

The World's Worst Houseguest

The feral pig discovered the campers' stash of beer and apparently decided it was party time. Witnesses reported the intoxicated animal rummaging through garbage, consuming the contents of up to 18 beer cans, and generally making a nuisance of itself.

But the pig wasn't content with just drinking. According to a camper's account reported by ABC News, other travellers camped by the river watched the pig running laps around their vehicle, chased by an unimpressed cow. Rather than stand its ground, the drunken pig bolted and swam out into the middle of the river to escape.

Sleeping It Off, Pig Style

After its narrow escape from the cow, the pig doubled back and was later tracked down hiding and asleep under a log right at the water's edge. Campers who crept up on it found it out cold, still sleeping off what must have been a spectacular hangover. The image of empty cans scattered near a passed-out feral pig became an instant sensation when it hit the news cycle.

The story was widely reported by Australian media outlets and quickly spread internationally, becoming one of those quintessentially Australian news items that makes the rest of the world shake their heads in amused disbelief.

Australia's Feral Pig Problem

While this particular pig's antics were unusual, feral pigs are a serious issue in Australia. These aren't cute farm animals, they're destructive invasive species that cause an estimated $100 million in damage annually.

• They destroy crops and native vegetation
• They prey on native wildlife and livestock
• They spread diseases to domestic animals
• They cause massive soil erosion through rooting behavior

Australia's feral pig population descended from domestic pigs brought by European settlers in the 1800s. Today, they number in the millions and inhabit about 40% of the continent.

Can Pigs Actually Get Drunk?

Yes, absolutely. Pigs have similar alcohol metabolism to humans, and they're surprisingly enthusiastic drinkers when given the opportunity. They're also highly intelligent and curious animals, which explains why this particular pig was determined enough to open up to 18 cans of beer.

In fact, pigs seeking out fermented or alcoholic substances isn't uncommon in agricultural settings. They've been known to eat fermented grain, rotting fruit, and apparently, raid campsites for beer.

The Port Hedland pig's misadventure, nicknamed "Swino" by locals, stands as a bizarre but verified reminder that Australia's feral pig problem can manifest in unexpected and occasionally hilarious ways. The pig was later hit and killed by a car near the same rest area a few weeks after the beer raid.