The Feral Pig That Drank 18 Beers and Fought a Cow

In 2013, campers at a remote campground in Port Hedland, Western Australia woke up to find something that sounds like the setup to a bad joke: an extremely hungover wild pig sprawled beneath a gum tree, surrounded by empty beer cans.

This wasn't fiction. The pig had raided their campsite during the night, gone on an 18-beer bender, and topped off the evening by picking a fight with 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 18 beer cans, and generally making a nuisance of itself.

But the pig wasn't content with just drinking. According to news reports from the incident, the inebriated swine spotted a cow in a nearby paddock and decided confrontation was in order. The resulting "brawl" was brief—the cow, presumably both confused and unimpressed, quickly sent the drunken pig on its way.

Sleeping It Off, Pig Style

After its defeat, the pig retreated to the shade of a tree and passed out cold. Campers found it the next morning, still sleeping off what must have been a spectacular hangover. The image of this scene—empty cans scattered around an unconscious 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 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 stands as a bizarre but verified reminder that Australia's feral pig problem can manifest in unexpected—and occasionally hilarious—ways. Though given the hangover that pig must have experienced, it probably learned its lesson about drinking and brawling.