The price tag on rare Auckland Island pigs is exorbitant, says a Taranaki wildlife park owner.
Gail Simons, who with husband Trevor runs Stoney Oaks Wildlife Park, east of Inglewood, said the Southland Heirloom Breeds Charitable Trust's asking price of $1000 a head was over the top, let alone the requirement that at least two pigs must go to the same property.
"You wouldn't pay that for a top pedigree normal pig.
"They're of no benefit to anyone except a wildlife park," she said.
The 17 long-snouted pigs were removed from the Auckland Islands in January last year to preserve the breed when the islands were restored to their natural state.
Trustee Ross Fraser said a long quarantine testing period had incurred debts of more than $20,000, which did not include the total costs.
"We've had to put a price on the pigs," he said. A number of people had looked at the pigs, but to date there had been no takers.
- NZPA
Porkers too dear for park
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