DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Lifestyle
German news & articles
Bavarian animal park renames Putin the wild boar following Ukraine war
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Bavarian animal park renames Putin the wild boar following Ukraine war

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Munich's Hofbräuhaus takes Dresden's Hofbrauhaus to court Munich's Hofbräuhaus takes Dresden's Hofbrauhaus to court
St Patrick's Day in Germany: History, customs and traditionsSt Patrick's Day in Germany: History, customs and traditions
10 films you didn't know were filmed in Germany10 films you didn't know were filmed in Germany
[Video] Why there's almost no Google Street View in Germany[Video] Why there's almost no Google Street View in Germany
TU Munich once again named as Germany’s best universityTU Munich once again named as Germany’s best university
Cunning thieves steal gin ball from Lake ConstanceCunning thieves steal gin ball from Lake Constance
German pensioner who stashed tank and weapons in basement facing penaltiesGerman pensioner who stashed tank and weapons in basement facing penalties
Munich ranked eighth-safest city in the worldMunich ranked eighth-safest city in the world
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usImpressumSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Apr 23, 2022
Emily Proctor
Former Editor at IamExpat Media.Read more

A wildlife park in the state of Bavaria has renamed one of its boars after the Russian invasion of Ukraine made the name seem inappropriate. The boar, which was previously known as Putin, has been given a new name by park staff. 

The boar is now known as Eberhofer

After the invasion began, park staff began to feel awkward calling the boar by its name in front of guests, and began discussions about how to best go about changing the pig’s name. Eventually the team opted to let the public decide on what the pig should be renamed in a vote held on the internet. 

While many netizens supported Ukrainian political alternatives such as “Zelenskyy” and “Klitschko”, staff at the park thought it would be best to avoid choosing a political name. The final choice approved by park staff was Eberhofer - the name of a police officer from a popular Bavarian book series.

Eberhofer is a Russian purebred Russian hog

Eberhofer’s old name was picked by the park's operator Eckard Mickisch. The name came from the fact that the boar is a purebred Russian hog weighing nearly 200 kilograms - more than twice as heavy as a German wild boar. 

Mickisch said that the park values a “feel good” atmosphere, and that given the current political climate, to continue calling the boar Putin seemed inappropriate. The park operator also expressed concern that if Ukrainian visitors to the attraction were to overhear staff call the boar Putin, it could be upsetting, adding that Ukrainian refugees are granted free admission to the park at Mehlmeisel.

By Emily Proctor