At the 2023 International Society of Applied Ethology (ISAE) congress in Tallinn, Estonia, a group of motivated ethologists, inspired by the ManyGoats network, met to discuss the possibility of establishing a similar ini tiative for pigs. Why? During the congress discussions, we identified shared research interests in pig emotions, cognition, development, social relationships, and welfare. We also recognized that joining forces would greatly benefit pig research by allowing us to learn from a diverse range of experiences and expertise and ap ply our knowledge across the different geographical and culture contexts. Additionally, collaboration could enhance opportunities for funding and facilitate the development of joint projects spanning several institu tions and research facilities. How? The group came together and met with leaders of the ManyGoats project (https://www.themanygoatsproject.com/), the ManyPrimates project (https://manyprimates.github.io/), and the coordinator of the PigWeb project (https://www.pigweb.eu/) to learn from the experiences of similar networks while building own aims and approach. After reflections, discussions, and forming impressions of what was needed, it was clear a large research network that could offer a global perspective on pig ethology and wel fare, would be beneficial. The ManyPigs initiative aims to bring together experienced experts and early-stage researchers of pig behaviour and welfare to facilitate discussions on emerging research trends, identify key knowledge gaps, and exchange ideas and experiences on methodological limitations and protocols. ManyPigs seeks to improve training and knowledge transfer in pig behaviour and welfare research, through efforts such as establishing a researcher database, leveraging social media and online communication platforms, and host ing periodic online meetings that accommodate international participation. Additionally, ManyPigs will foster opportunities for collaborative projects, including those involving shared experimental protocols implemented across the group’s research facilities or commercial farms. By working collectively, we can enhance the visibil ity and impact of our research and ensure that scientific advancements in our field translate into meaningful improvements in pig welfare. ManyPigs currently consists of nine researchers across three continents, with expertise in several facets of pig behaviour and welfare, but we welcome more researchers and labs to join the network.
