Shropshire Star

Watch: Piggin' delighted - new warthogs happy at Hoo Farm

These warthogs are soaking up the sun as they settle into their new home in Shropshire.

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Pumba and Hogwarts moved to Hoo Farm in Telford from Chester Zoo and have since become two of the main stars at the petting zoo.

Will Dorrell, a partner at Hoo Farm, said the two warthogs had been settling well, and were drawing in crowds.

"They came to us from Chester Zoo in May, where they were also given their names," he said. "The zoo held a Facebook competition to name the animals and these are the ones that won.

"We decided to take them in after Chester Zoo contacted us asking if we wanted to take them, which we agreed to do. They are really settling in well and we are really excited to have them here at Hoo Farm.

"When they first arrived they were quite shy but it's interesting because suddenly they have started to get a bit braver."

Warthogs are members of the same family as domestic pigs, but it's obvious to see they have a distinct appearance.

They originate in Africa and are used to hot climates, so when water is available, they use it to cool down. They will also wallow in mud for the same purpose and to gain relief from insects.

Though warthogs appear ferocious, they are basically grazers, as they eat grass and plants, and also use their snouts to dig or "root" for roots or bulbs.

When startled or threatened, warthogs can be surprisingly fast, running at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

As well as warthogs Hoo Farm have around 400 animals from about 120 species of all shapes and sizes including sheep, mice and meerkats.

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