Rescue Tale of Two Baby Warthogs Named Cow and Chicken

Photo Credit: Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital

Mama had a chicken, mama had a cow! The team at Johannesburg Wildlife Vet recently took two wild but adorable piggies into their professional care.

Johannesburg, South Africa (19 December 2025) – They arrived tiny, underweight and already in trouble. Two baby warthogs, just weeks old, with titles far bigger than their bodies. Cow and Chicken. Named after the cartoon that most of us who are 30 and upwards will remember!

On 2 December, the pair were admitted to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital after a well-meaning member of the public brought them in. The person had been trying to raise the warthoglets at home for about two weeks, but thankfully realised something wasn’t right and asked for help just in time.

At only two weeks old, Cow and Chicken weighed less than what they should have at birth. They were weak, underfed and fragile. The first 48 hours were critical, with the team especially worried about the smaller of the two, Cow, who wasn’t responding as well as hoped.

Trying to undo weeks of poor nutrition in wild animals isn’t an easy task. It takes precise feeding, constant monitoring and an understanding of what that species actually needs to survive.

Thankfully, the team are experts at providing intensive veterinary care, and the hoggies slowly began to stabilise. Against the odds, both of them made a recovery.

Here’s the very adorable video of the happy piggie-wiggies pulling through:

“Thanks to prompt veterinary care and Wendy’s expert nutritional knowledge, we managed to pull them through.” shares the team.

Cow and Chicken have since doubled in weight and their personalities are major. They’re messy little eaters, full of attitude and keep the team on their feet, as little warthoglets should!

They’ll remain in care for a few more months to ensure they’re strong enough, socially appropriate, and ready for life back in the wild.

The story also comes with an important reminder, friends. Wildlife aren’t pets.

“Raising wildlife, even with the best intentions, is incredibly challenging. Wild animals have specialised dietary, behavioural and medical needs, and early professional intervention can make the difference between life and death.” shares the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.

If you ever find a wild animal in distress, the kindest thing you can do is call for expert help immediately.