Spike the Warthog from Colchester Zoo’s private nature reserve, UmPhafa, has become a hit on social network!

Colchester Zoo’s registered charity Action for the Wild is dedicated to researching and conserving animal species all over the world. One of its main priorities is to manage the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Staff at UmPhafa engage with many different species in South Africa however none have been quite like Spike the Warthog. Spike was brought to UmPhafa back in March of 2012. At barely a week old he was found alone and abandoned on a local farm following a huge storm and was brought to staff on the reserve to hand-rear. He quickly became very attached to his carers, following them absolutely everywhere they went.

During a staff first aid training session, Spike interrupted the lesson by entertaining them with what can only be described as ‘dancing’ - a behaviour he engaged in often! A video of Spike’s interruption has been posted on youtube and has become a hit on social networks, you can check out the video on Colchester Zoo’s youtube page!

Following Spike’s rehabilitation he was successfully released back into the wild and is still occasionally seen by UmPhafa staff, happily grazing!