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Pig who ‘talks’ using buttons gets Guinness World Record for his viral fame

Merlin, a mini Vietnamese potbelly pig, uses over 30 voice-recorded buttons to communicate and has 1.1 million Instagram followers, earning a Guinness World Record.

  • Four-Year-Old Merlin, a Vietnamese potbelly pig, earned a Guinness World Records title for the most Instagram followers for a pig. His account, @MerlinThePig, reached 1.1 million followers last week.
  • Owner Mina Alali adopted the pig in March 2022 and began training him when he was three months old. She designed buttons for his Sacramento home to help him communicate needs and emotions.
  • Using over 30 buttons, Merlin expresses specific requests or feelings. One video of him pushing buttons has more than 26 million views, demonstrating his 'cognitively complex' abilities in problem-solving.
  • The viral sensation now works as a certified therapy pig, visiting assisted living homes. Because Merlin has grown to about 180 pounds, Alali had to retire one of his buttons.
  • Vietnamese potbellied pigs can live up to two decades, suggesting Merlin is not done growing physically or intellectually. He will serve as the ring bearer at Alali's upcoming wedding in September.
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UPI broke the news in Washington, United States on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
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