Salt and Pepper – how two Kunekune pigs are helping London’s green spaces
Did you see our Kunekune pigs hit the headlines back in June 2024*? Well we thought it was about time we gave you an update on how they have been getting along!
*BBC feature at the bottom of this article
Eight months on from their moment in the spotlight, we are visiting our stars Salt and Pepper, residence and valued members of the Gardens team at our Gunnersbury Park Campus.
Take us back
In the summer of 2024 Capel Manor College and Gunnersbury Museum and Park Development Trust joined forces to start a conservation grazing project, designed to promote sustainable land management in the park, while providing an enriching educational experience for students and visitors alike.
It was a hit! What seemed like a ‘wild’ idea was the perfect partnership, providing excellent grazing for our animals and new grounds to stretch their legs, while also offering a very practical and environmentally conscious solution to overgrowth in the park.
Starting with our staff, students and volunteers from the park group, what was once an overgrown wooded area was safely cordoned off for exclusive use by our pigs, who have now completely cleared the space and well-turned the ground.
Having made quick work of it, our teams have since built the fencing for a second holding paddock allowing further secure and safe grazing, and the girls are making good use of it.
With Spring on our tails, we are now eagerly waiting to see what grows through!
What makes Kunekune so special?
Kunekune pigs, originally from New Zealand, are a small, friendly breed known for their distinctive short legs and round bodies. Their name, which means “fat and round” in Māori, perfectly describes their compact stature. But unlike many pig breeds, Kunekune’s are natural grazers, thriving on a diet of grass rather than rooting through the soil. Their short snouts make it quite difficult for them to dig, so they much prefer a diet of grass, brambles and scrub.
This unique characteristic makes them particularly well-suited for conservation grazing, as they help maintain grasslands without causing excessive disruption to the ecosystem.
Conservation Grazing at Capel Manor College
The presence of Salt and Pepper at Gunnersbury Park is a key step in the College’s mission to encourage sustainable farming practices into urban environments.
Conservation grazing – using livestock to manage landscapes – helps control invasive plant species, promotes biodiversity and supports soil health – encouraging a ‘no dig’ method if you like! In urban settings like Gunnersbury Park, such practices provide an alternative to mechanical mowing, reducing the carbon footprint and encouraging natural ecological balance.
In addition to their environmental benefits, the Kunekune pigs are also core members of the farming family at our Gunnersbury Park campus, offering invaluable educational resource for Capel Manor College students studying animal management. They offer hands-on learning opportunities, allowing students to gain practical experience in animal care and a deeper appreciation for the positive impact of sustainable farming practices.
For more updates on our conservation initiatives and animal welfare projects be sure to follow Capel Manor College on social media channels.
X (Twitter) – @capelmanor
Facebook – @capelmanorcollege
Instagram – @capelmanor
LinkedIn – Capel Manor College
Tiktok – @capelmanorcollege
Read about our Kunekune pigs on BBC News.
