The webcam which in the past has been used to show native Barn Owls hatching their chicks was moved to the pig ark when one of Heligan’s Tamworth sows gave birth.
The “Piglet-Cam” has become hugely popular and has more than doubled the number of visits to the Heligan website as viewers tune in to see the piglets in all their glory.
“Heliganwild.com gives people a front row seat on Cornish nature in all its spectacular diversity” commented Heligan Estate Manager, Jim Briggs. “These piglets have been a huge hit with website visitors and become stars in their own right, with some visitors to the gardens specifically coming to see them”.
The new additions reinforce the historic estate’s focus on rare breeds. The Tamworth breed is classed as “at risk” by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust but the Heligan team hope to help change this.
Throughout September whilst Cornwall’s celebrated theatre company Kneehigh Theatre present their new production Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs) within the grounds the gardens will remain open until 7:30pm Tuesday to Sunday, offering visitors the chance to soak up the magical atmosphere of the gardens at dusk. Visitors who arrive after 4:30pm can enjoy half price entry. Last admissions to the gardens will be at 6.30pm and the gardens will close at 7:30pm. Visitors can also experience the taste of Heligan as the Heligan kitchens serve up locally sourced meat and vegetables in a special two course evening meal.
To see the Heligan Tamworth Pigs, visit www.heliganwild.com or even better visit Heligan and see them with your own eyes.