Pigs Unleashed to Restore Island Habitat

Two Mangalitsa-cross pigs have recently arrived on Brownsea Island, Dorset, as part of an initiative to restore its heathland habitat. These pigs are tasked with managing the spread of bracken, a native plant that can become overly dominant and disrupt the balance of the woodland understory.

Their natural foraging instincts will help them turn over the soil, reducing bracken cover and creating vital space for a wider variety of plants and wildlife to thrive. The pigs, described as having curious and cheeky personalities, are settling into their enclosure and are expected to reach about 180kg as adults.

Dorset Wildlife Trust is managing 100 hectares of land on the island in partnership with the National Trust. This area is part of the Purbeck National Nature Reserve, recognized for its international importance for wildlife.