Brookfield sanctuary comes to rescue of potbelly pig

BROOKFIELD – A curly tail is wagging in Brookfield, where Elizabeth Kleist, president of Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary, shares the role of her organization in the rescue of a pot-bellied pig.

“On Monday, Nov. 2, the Brookfield Police Department found a potbelly pig wandering the streets,” Kleist stated. “They caught him and were looking for his owners, posting on Brookfield Connections to see if they could get him back home. We contacted Lt. [James] Episcopo and offered to bring him food, snacks or bedding, and also offered him the option that we could take him in at Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary. They were hoping someone would come forward. Sadly, no one did, and we were called later that afternoon to see if the sanctuary could take him in for a couple of weeks. It has now been [more than] two weeks; no one has contacted the police or Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary about the pig.

“We have posted on many sites looking for his owners. We have named him Chicharron, we call him Cheech for short, and we are thinking he was a house pet. His previous family was probably told he would be a mini pig or micro pig and would stay under 15 pounds. Sadly, this is not true for healthy potbelly pigs. A potbelly pig can be anywhere between 45 and 200 pounds, 15 to 24 inches tall, and live 15 to 20 years.

“Cheech is about 6 to 9 months old, about 20 pounds, and is extremely smart. It has taken several days of training – he will go to the door and grunts, and he tells us that he needs to go outside. He roots in our garden and also walks on a leash. He knows his name, wags his adorable little tail when we call him. We know he is in the right place here at Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary.

“Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary is where exotic animals and people come together through our live interactive programs. Our animal ambassadors can help tame the curiosity of both kids and adults. Our goal is to excite the public and foster a desire to preserve and learn about the wildlife that we share this planet with. Our interactive programs provide an opportunity to meet, personally interact and make new friends with our animal ambassadors.

“Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary is a USDA licensed and insured 501(c)(3) nonprofit wildlife sanctuary based in [Brookfield,] Cook County. Our staff consists of professionals with extensive experience in the handling and training of a diverse collection of exotic wildlife as well as educating the public. Our facility provides a permanent home for our animal ambassadors that have come to us from other licensed educational facilities, confiscated or owner-relinquished illegal pets, or nonreleasable wildlife.

“We strive to provide the utmost in care for our animals from diet and nutrition to affection training and behavioral enrichment.

For more information about Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary and donation opportunities, visit www.exoticwildlifesanctuary.org, www.facebook.com/ews.nfp or www.instagram.com/ews.nfp.