This photo released by the Los Angeles Zoo shows Willy, a 10-year-old, 187-pound Red River porcine, right, nuzzling his new companion Nicole, a 16-year-old bongo antelope, in their exhibit at the zoo Feb. 13, 2006, in Los Angeles. Willy's mate Ruby died last summer of cancer and within a week the hog turned to the antelope for companionship. (AP Photo/Los Angeles Zoo, Jaime Pham)
Willy the Hog Pairs With Antelope at Zoo
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 7:53 PM EST
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shortly after his mate went to hog heaven, Willy the Red River porcine spied a new mud-pen pal in what officials are calling one of the oddest pairings at the Los Angeles Zoo.
Willy is a 10-year-old, 187-pound hog and his new mate is a 16-year-old bongo named Nicole, the largest member of the forest antelope family. The couple shares a muddy zoo exhibit where they nap and cuddle together — even nuzzling snout to nose.
"It's adorable. Wherever that bongo is, the hog is usually nearby," zoo spokesman Jason Jacobs said.
Willy's previous mate Ruby died last summer of cancer and within a week the hog turned to Nicole for companionship.
"I think he was probably lonely. He definitely was aware that his mate was gone," exhibit curator Jeff Holland said.
Nicole wasn't interested in Willy at first, but the persistent pig eventually won her over. They now share breakfast, groom each other and take walks together. Nicole leads, and Willy trails closely behind.
"I think he definitely likes her more than she likes him," Holland said.
It isn't known how long Willy and Nicole will be together. Curators hope to bring another bongo to the zoo for Nicole, probably another female, and Willy could be moved to another part of the zoo with other hogs.
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