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Record litter of critically endangered piglets born at NC Zoo
JOHN DEEM WinstonSalem Journal
Six critically endangered Visayan warty piglets were born
recently at the North carolina Zoo.
NORTH CAROLINA ZOO
A pair of critically endangered Visayan warty piglets at the North Carolina Zoo have made history.
The mom, 8-year-old Buddy, and dad, 7-year-old Makaio, have produced a litter of four piglets, the largest ever recorded, the zoo said.
"This is a wonderful development considering the species is critically endangered and in rapid population decline due to habitat loss and hunting," said zoo curator Jenn Ireland.
Makaio and another female also produced a pair of piglets.
As of this summer, there were only about 30 of these pigs housed within zoos across the United States and fewer than 200 estimated to remain in the wild, the zoo said. Outside of human care, the species can only be found on two small islands in the Philippines.
The piglets are the first to be born in the United States since 2022. In all, there are now nine Visayan warty piglets at the zoo.
Zoo officials say the piglets are incredibly valuable to the small, aging population of Visayan warty pigs nationwide, especially since Makaio's genetics are "newly represented."
"This is a remarkable example of the little miracles happening every day across our zoo," said zoo director and CEO Mark Penning. "We are committed to working together with other accredited zoos and aquariums around the world to protect wildlife and wild places for generations to come. Every visit to our zoo helps support that mission."
The pigs will be housed in the zoo's Asia section, which is scheduled to open in March.
John deem covers the Triad for the Winstonsalem Journal and Greensboro News & record. contact him at john.deem@lee.net.
Loose leaf season begins Oct. 26
FROM STAFF REPORTS
The city of Concord's annual loose leaf collection season begins Monday, Oct. 26. During loose leaf collection season, on their assigned week residents may place unbagged leaves at the curb to be picked up by city crews using the leaf vacuum trucks. Loose leaf season will run from Oct. 26 through Feb. 11, 2027, with a second chance collection available at the end of the season.
The city's Solid Waste Services crews work Monday through Thursday, except for city-observed holidays. The complete loose leaf collection calendar is available to view, download, and print online at concordnc.gov/looseleaves. Once the season begins, residents can also track the progress of crews in their neighborhood using the collection tracker on the city's website, according to a news release.
Residents are reminded:
• Place loose leaves at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on the first day of their assigned collection week.
• Leaves must be free of tree and shrub limbs and other foreign objects.
• Keep leaves away from storm drains, mailboxes, and parked cars.
• Leaves bagged in paper yard waste bags or placed in labeled personal yard waste containers are also collected weekly on residents' assigned collection day.
The city will again offer a Second Chance Program for anyone who misses their last loose leaf collection and would rather pay a fee than bag their leaves. For a fee of $75, the city will schedule a special last chance loose leaf collection during the weeks of Feb. 15-25, 2027. For questions regarding loose leaf collection, visit concordnc.gov/loose leaves or call Customer Care at 704-920-5555.
Salisbury woman wins $100K in scratch-off
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Salisbury's Lori Latham won a $100,000 prize from a
scratch-off ticket.
NC EDUCATION LOTTERY PHOTO
RALEIGH — Lori Latham of Salisbury can fulfill her dream of owning a business after a $30 scratch-off delivered her a $100,000 top prize.
"I would like to start my own hair salon," she said.
Latham bought her lucky $100,000 Cash Payday scratch-off from Mid-Town Dixie Express Fuel on West Salisbury Street in Asheboro, according to a news release.
"My eyes like lit up when I saw it," Latham recalled. "It's so surreal."
She immediately wanted to share the news of her big win.
"I called my mom freaking out," Latham laughed. "She said, 'What's wrong,' and I said, 'Nothing but please come here.'"
Latham arrived at lottery headquarters Monday, Oct. 12, to claim her prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $72,018.
The $100,000 Cash Payday game debuted in March with 80 $100,000 top prizes. Fifty-three $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.
Education programs in Rowan County received $7.7 million in support from lottery funds last year. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina's 100 counties, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the "Impact" section of the lottery's website.
CORRECTIONS
The Independent tribune wants to promptly correct any erroneous or inaccurate information published. email corrections to news@independenttribune.com.
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