Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Artists explore how pigs like to play
A Popcorn Piñata was one of the objects created by artists Andrea Roe and Cath Keay.

Project reveals pigs’ enthusiasm for playtime

A piñata that dispenses popcorn and a pig version of KerPlunk are some of the novel items created by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) for an event which explores how pigs like to play.

The items are two of eight sculptural objects designed by Edinburgh College of Art lecturer Andrea Roe and Leverhulme Early Career Fellow Cath Keay. Video footage of the pigs interacting with the toys is now on show at the Roslin Institute.

Working with SRUC animal behaviour specialists, the artists chose materials that would encourage pigs to play and invite them to tear apart, smell and eat the objects. The items are all based on the theme of ‘carnival’ and include a ‘Fruit Machine’, ‘Apple Barrel’ and ‘Sweep Sensation’.

The idea is the brainchild of Professor Alistair Lawrence, chair of animal behaviour and welfare at SRUC and the Roslin Institute. Professor Lawrence’s team is focused on how enrichments encouraging ‘positive behaviour’ can play a part in farm animal welfare.

“The inclusion of animal-based welfare measures such as the ability to move freely and a positive human-animal relationship among the proposed guiding principles for World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) animal welfare standards reflects that positive welfare is now an active topic of discussion on the world stage,” explained Professor Lawrence.

The project formed part of Andrea Roe's artist-in-residence programme and revealed the pigs’ great enthusiasm for investigative play.

“Throughout the process of designing and making the objects we thought about what matters to pigs and carefully crafted objects that they could interact with and which would fit their body proportions,” she said.

Visitors to the Roslin Institute can view the video until the end of June. 

Image (C) Norrie Russell/The Roslin Institute

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Dechra launches checklist for veterinary sustainability

Global animal health specialist Dechra has announced the world's first Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist (VGTC) to help make surgery more sustainable.

Endorsed by leading veterinary organisations, including the BEVA, BVNA and RCVS Knowledge, the checklist is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of veterinary care, while supporting better animal health outcomes.

The checklist was launched at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris and will be followed by an internal training and awareness campaign. For more information, visit dechra.com