HOGS AND KISSES AS PAIGNTON ZOO’S STAR COUPLE WELCOME THIRD LITTER

Paignton Zoo’s power couple has done it again – red river hogs Winnie and Humphrey have welcomed their third litter of stripy piglets, cementing their status as one of the zoo’s most successful breeding pairs in recent years.

The tiny arrivals, believed to include two males and one female, were born on 14 September 2025 and can now be seen scampering around their enclosure opposite the giraffes. The playful trio, who are yet to be named, are easily recognisable by their distinctive stripy coats, a characteristic feature of young red river hogs.

250922 Paignton Zoo Red River Hogs Piglets Farah Adaci LR 4 — ^{Playtime is serious business for these young red river hogs, who are already delighting visitors with their cheeky antics!}

Sian Foster, Mammals Keeper for Paignton Zoo, commented:

“At just a couple weeks old, these tiny piglets are already displaying the wonderful curiosity and playfulness that makes them so adorable. Visitors hoping to catch them at their absolute cutest should come soon – they grow surprisingly fast!”

250922 Paignton Zoo Red River Hog Piglets Farah Adaci LR 35 — *^{DID YOU KNOW… Baby hogs are referred to as piglets and not hoglets. A ‘hoglet’ is in fact the name for a baby hedgehog!}*

While many zoo visitors might assume all animal fathers are absent parents, red river hogs challenge that stereotype. In the wild, these African mammals form tight family units where both parents share parenting duties – behaviour that makes pairs like Winnie and Humphrey particularly special to observe. This latest arrival marks the couple’s third successful litter.

Sian continued:

“What makes these animals so special is how similar they are to us humans in their approach to family life. Red river hogs are monogamous and both parents are equally involved in childcare. Winnie and Humphrey are true partners in every sense, and having successfully co-parented three litters, they’re clearly a match made in heaven!”

250922 Paignton Zoo Red River Hog Piglets Farah Adaci LR 11 — *^{Proud parents Winnie and Humphrey, Paignton Zoo’s red river hog ‘power couple’, have now successfully raised three litters together.}*

Red river hogs are native to central and western Africa, where they inhabit various environments from forests to grasslands. Though the species is currently classified as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, wild populations face pressure from hunting for the bushmeat trade and occasional conflicts with farmers when the hogs forage in agricultural areas.

The new piglets represent continued success for Paignton Zoo’s breeding programme and offer visitors a unique opportunity to witness the early development of these charismatic African mammals. However, with the piglets growing rapidly and their distinctive baby stripes set to fade within months, those hoping to see them at their most adorable should book their visit soon.

For unbeatable prices, purchase tickets online at paigntonzoo.org.uk.