ncurran said on September 15, 2004 18:34:

Interesting news article....heres the link
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1081292004

Houdini hogs the headlines with proof pigs can fly

WILLIAM CHISHOLM

FIRST there was the Tamworth Two, then came McQueen. Now Houdini has entered the hog hall of fame with a death- defying escape to match the exploits of the country’s other headline grabbing porkers.

While six of his companions were settling down to a new life on the great pig farm in the sky, Houdini the wild boar remained at large last night after fleeing from a Galashiels slaughterhouse.

The boars - each no more than 18 inches high but weighing around nine stones - had been taken to the abattoir from an East Lothian farm to be converted into a gourmet’s delight.

But the prospect did not appeal to one of them - now dubbed Houdini.

George Deans, a director of Scottish Borders Abattoir,

said: “It was during the regular process of unloading that Houdini made his getaway. He flew over two five-foot fences and broke through a sliding door.”

Twelve abattoir employees gave chase, soon to be joined by an angling party on the Tweed. But the quick-footed boar disappeared into the undergrowth near Lowwood Bridge, between Galashiels and Melrose.

Mr Deans said: “He was pursued by everyone available, but in true Olympic fashion the gold medal goes to Houdini.”

He is not considered a danger to the public unless cornered, but police did put out a warning on local radio in case the wandering pig decided to seek out children for company.

According to Mr Deans, the escapee should do well in the countryside around Galashiels. There is a plentiful supply of roots and grass to keep hunger at bay, and he is equipped to fight off any attacks by predators, such as foxes.

Mr Deans confirmed that Houdini’s six mates were now hanging in the abattoir’s chill room.

The emergency services did not join in the hunt for Houdini. But a description of the missing boar was issued by a police spokesman at regional HQ in Hawick - “16-18 inches in height; no tusks; weighing 50-60kgs; dark coloured and resembling a collie dog in size.”

There was growing speculation last night that Houdini could look forward to an extended life in captivity even if his hard-won freedom should come to an end.

There was even mention of another film along the lines of the BBC production The Legend of the Tamworth Two, screened on television at Easter. The comedy drama was inspired by the antics of Butch and Sundance, two pigs who escaped while being unloaded from another abattoir lorry in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, in 1998.

A week of freedom turned the Tamworths into the most famous fugitives in the world. Butch was recaptured but Sundance had to be immobilised with a tranquilliser dart.

Eventually they were bought by a national newspaper which continues to pay for their board and lodgings at a rare breeds centre in Kent.

A distinct dislike of abattoirs also spurred a boar to flee from the slaughterhouse at Dunblane, Stirlingshire in 2002.

He was christened McQueen - after Steve, the star of The Great Escape - and soon had a band of animal lovers, among them the actor Martin Shaw, campaigning to save his bacon.

But this was one story lacking a happy ending. After three months on the run, McQueen was shot dead by an apparently unsympathetic landowner.

As darkness fell over the Eildon Hills last night, Houdini fans were hoping their hero would not suffer a similar fate.

LittleSpooky said on September 15, 2004 21:58:

GO HOUDINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m rooting for the underpig in this one