Hi Curlytop3,
that’s a tragic tale – so sorry to hear it. Hogs do prefer pond and rain water – even dirty water to fresh water in bowls put out for them.
I don’t know how large your garden pond is – but it sounds as though you had made provision for escape, which a hog would normally have found.
(I would myself advise caution with netting over and around ponds however as it can trap hogs underneath or get entangled in it even if they do manage to escape the water). Better to provide a shallow end and or something they can use to climb back out by using.
Its worth bearing in mind though – that although hogs are in fact usually good swimmers – on coming out of hibernation they are often quite weak. The demise of this little fella might have been as a result of that – or he could perhaps have been unwell in some other way that put him at increased risk near or in the water
recheck your pond escape provision for robustness and I’m sure you will be seeing more hogs through the spring. your pond could be a lifesaver for them if we have another dry summer as they are beginning to predict!
