The Current

The power of a pig: How Esther The Wonder Pig is changing lives

Esther the Wonder Pig's owners changed everything for the piglet who was supposed to stay small.

Meet Esther the Wonder Pig

8 years ago
Duration 1:03
Meet Esther the Wonder Pig

Read story transcript

Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter moved to the country, became vegans and started an animal refuge — all because of a pig. 

Jenkins and Walter adopted a baby pig named Esther, thinking she was a "micro-pig" and would stay that size, but Esther had other plans, growing to be 300kg (or 650 pounds).

Esther as a baby (Esther The Wonder Pig)

On The Current, Jenkins and Walter tell us about the challenges of raising Esther The Wonder Pig, the process of falling in love with her, and how that relationship has come to revolutionize their lives. 

She's like a four-legged person. She's got so much character and personality. She's so clever, so sensitive, and funny! She makes me laugh on a daily basis.

Jenkins and Walter have written the book Esther The Wonder Pig - Changing The World One Heart at a Time about their experience, and have garnered a robust following online, expanding Esther's ability to inspire far beyond the farm.

Esther is helping people connect to an animal that we've always discounted. We all look the other way when that truck goes by on the highway. We all want to ignore what's happening and she made it impossible for us to ignore.


RELATED LINKS

Esther The Wonder Pig's Facebook

Esther The Wonder Pig's Website

Follow Esther The Wonder pig on Twitter @estherthepig ​

Find Esther The Wonder Pig on Instagram 


This segment was producer by The Current's Liz Hoath