A "smart" pig living near a busy Auckland motorway has managed to evade capture despite Auckland Council, Waka Kotahi and Police all working to catch it.
On Tuesday morning, Auckland's northwestern motorway on State Highway 16 was temporarily blocked because the pig was "sunbathing" in a bush near the Te Atatu on-ramp.
A Waka Kotahi spokesperson said Auckland System Management, which is an alliance that operates and maintains Auckland's motorway network, has been working with multiple agencies since July 24 to catch the stray pig.
Auckland Council team leader of animal management west Aaron Neary said the pig has been on the run from officials for around two weeks.
"It's evaded capture very well - a smart pig.
Neary said the council's animal management team was called again on Tuesday to help Police and Waka Kotahi at about 9:45am.
"Two animal management officers arrived around 10:30; Police and Waka Kotahi were already on site and had experienced stock handlers with them."
But Neary said by the time officers arrived the pig dashed from its sunbathing spot and "disappeared into the bush".
Waka Kotahi said the pig was not on the motorway at any point on Tuesday, but Police did create a "rolling traffic block during the attempt to catch the pig which is still on the loose".
"Police responded to a report of a pig on the North-Western Motorway near the Te Atatu Road off-ramp," a Police spokesperson said.
"Police are liaising with Animal Control personnel in an attempt to capture the pig."
In hopes of finally capturing the pig, traps have been set near the motorway. Once - and if - the pig is caught, it will be handed over to Animal Control.
