A pig buried and survived for 36 days beneath ruble from Sichuan’s province earthquake has been named China’s most inspirational animal of 2008. In a state press release it is mentioned as the nation’s animal of the year. The pig, known as ‘Zhu Jianqiang’ which means ‘ Strong-Willed Pig ‘, shot to eminence after it was discovered alive beneath rubble in quake-hit, the hit which was magnitude-8.0 earthquake struck Sichuan province, southwest China on May 12. The Times of London reported Tuesday Zhu Jianqiang bested six dogs, a bird, turtle and a cat to win the title in an online vote. The two years old pig was discovered alive in the debris of a home 17 June above five weeks after the severe quake killed more than 90,000 people in Sichuan.

The pig’s owners said it weight had dropped from 330 pounds to 110 pounds on a diet of rain water and charcoal. The Times reported ‘Zhu Jianqiang’ has been sold to the Jianchuan Museum, a private museum established to commemorate the Sichuan’s quake, with the promise that it needs never worry about being slaughtered. Now free from the concern of the slaughterhouse, the ‘ Strong-Willed Pig ‘ enjoys a cushy and comfortable life at the museum. The pig has regained its old weight. One of its keepers says, ‘It’s gotten fatter and lazier by the day.’ He added, ‘We used to take it out for a walk every morning and afternoon, but now it’s too lazy – and too fat – to do it. So we’re feeding it only twice a day.’

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