A pig in sheep's clothing: Blonde curly haired beast spotted in Kent is an extremely rare Hungarian hog breed

  • Wildlife volunteers were shocked to find strange 'sheep' on a path in Kent
  • But on closer inspection they turned out to be rare hairy Hungarian pigs
  • The Mangalica pig is prized by chefs around the world for its high quality meat
  • They are bred on some farms in the UK but are not native to our shores 

By JOSEPH CURTIS FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

An extremely rare breed of pig has left wildlife volunteers feeling a little sheepish after surprising them in the woods.

The three Hungarian pigs were mistaken for sheep due to their extremely hairy bodies which look just like wool.

But they are actually known as Mangalica and are a cross between pigs and European wild boars. 

Extremely hairy Hungarian pigs, pictured, were mistaken for sheep by wildlife volunteers in Kent

Extremely hairy Hungarian pigs, pictured, were mistaken for sheep by wildlife volunteers in Kent

Known as Mangalica, the hogs, pictured, are a cross between pigs and European wild boar

Known as Mangalica, the hogs, pictured, are a cross between pigs and European wild boar

Katie Blake, 54, from Whitstable, Kent said she was shocked to find a small group of the 'impostors' strolling across her path looking for things to eat in the woods between Whitstable and Herne Bay.

She said: 'I was there as a Kent Wildlife Trust volunteer, helping to clear a section of the woodland.

'We were standing around and they wandered past, we all looked up and I quickly got my phone out and snapped some pictures.

'There were three of them, all about the same size. At first we thought they were sheep, then we realised they were actually pigs. 

'They were just rutting around looking for food, and ranging up the public footpath.

'They were very tame - they didn't mind us being there at all.'

The pigs were spotted rutting around for food on a pathway in Whitstable, Kent

The pigs were spotted rutting around for food on a pathway in Whitstable, Kent

The 54-year-old thinks the pigs must have 'escaped from somewhere' as they are not indigenous to the UK.

She added: 'In the past they had a couple of people say they have lost them from farms in the area.'

According to the Hungarian National Association of Mangalica Breeders the pig has a 200-year-old history.

It has a medium body size and the hair on the pig can vary from grey red/brown depending on the breed.

The hairy pig was rescued from the brink of extinction by animal geneticist Peter Toth.

The meat from the Mangalica pig is prized by chefs the world over for its high quality.

Staff at Wildwood Discovery Park in nearby Herne Bay, Kent said they were aware of other sightings.

Dan Farrow from the park, said: 'The woolly pigs are not indigenous to the UK.

'There are a number of farms in the UK which breed them for meat and they also make good pets but as far as we're aware there are no wild colonies on our shores.' 

The hairy pig has been rescued from the brink of extinction by animal geneticists

The hairy pig has been rescued from the brink of extinction by animal geneticists

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