NEW recruits hired by the RSPB have been pigging out at its Arne nature reserve.

A herd of six Mangalitsa pigs have been introduced to restore a seven-hectare site back to its natural heathland through wild grazing.

This is the first time the RSPB has enlisted the help of this breed of pig.

The Mangalitsa is unusual as it grows a hairy fleece, and it is the only type of pig in England to possess this distinctive long coat.

The Arne nature reserve is currently covered in bracken and pine needles – six inches deep in places.

The six Mangalitsa pigs will be joined by six Berkshire pigs, and it is hoped the pigs will create a perfect habitat for a variety of wildlife to live and thrive in the area.

These include the Dartford warbler, stonechats, smooth snake, nightjar and sand lizard.

Mark Singleton, reserves operations manager at RSPB Dorset, said: “It’s an experimental project that we hope will produce fantastic results for nature at our Arne reserve.”

He added: “Usually we would hire diggers and other machines to remove all of the pine needles from the site.

“But that would have a negative impact on the environment.

“We are hoping these pigs are able to do the same job in a much more environmentally friendly way, and are much more fun.”