TEXAS — Stories of an enchanted forest in Central Texas are no fable. It can be found in Bastrop County just outside of Austin. There are cats, goats and donkeys, but most of the animals found there are pigs.

“We call this the enchanted pig forest,” Central Texas Pig Rescue Director Tracey Stabile said. “It’s really unique in that it’s a true Texas forest and so many Texas forests have been cleared for cattle and farming.”    

The pig rescue is refuge to more than 200 pigs. Many of them are survivors of abuse, neglect, animal testing, abandonment and slaughter.

“We are here of service to them and that includes their emotional and social needs as well,” Stabile said.

The rescue will celebrate four years in the Enchanted Pig Forest in October.

When the historic 2021 winter storm hit Texas, the rescue was still on its original property. In February 2021, the rescue was preparing for the incoming cold weather when Spectrum News was on site to talk about their search for a new property.

“What we’re finding when looking at properties is it comes down to pick two out of three. We need something close; we need something in our price range. We need enough acreage without it being too much,” CTPR Founder Dan Illescas said in 2021.

Days later, Texas was covered in ice and snow.

“It was very stressful because we’d never encountered anything like that,” Stabile said. “Probably the hardest thing was that we didn’t have any water.”

The pigs had small cabins that were restocked with hay. Stabile says the animals are very resourceful, so if volunteers can provide the resources, the pigs use what’s available to stay warm. Stabile says no animals were lost during the freeze.

Over the following eight months, the rescue managed to find a property that checked all their boxes and in October 2021, a big migration project began.

“It doesn’t matter what species you are, when you are put in your optimal environment and when you’re able to be your true self, you’re better. You’re happier,” Stabile said. 

In the enchanted pig forest, which spans 26 acres, pigs are separated into neighborhoods. They’ve displayed behaviors associated with being in a natural habitat like carving trails and gathering vegetation to nest. Stabile says they’ve become urban planners.

“This is a reality because of good people,” Stabile said.

The nonprofit is currently working on what’s called "The Cozy Project." Volunteers are adding extra insulation to the pig cabins to further help retain heat.

But challenges remain. Stabile says fundraising has been difficult and social media isn’t the fundraising tool it used to be. Volunteerism has also dropped over time since the pandemic.

“It’s insanely hard, it’s very stressful, but it’s a gift to be able to give them what they deserve which is a beautiful life,” Stabile said.