What happened to this little piggy?

Ash the pig, pictured with new friend Elke, was underweight and wasn't expected to live. He now weighs more than 170kg. Pic: Jamie Hanson Source: Jamie Hanson / News Corp Australia

ONCE upon a time he was a little piggy, but now he's a real porker.

Ash earned national fame when he was smuggled into the Gabba during last summer's Ashes Test, found with his snout taped shut and dressed as a baby last November.

He was rescued by the RSPCA, suffering severe stress and dehydration and weighing barely 10kg — but now almost a year on, he weighs more than 170kg.

An underweight and dehydrated Ash is carried from the Gabba by a police officer last November. Source: Supplied

Despite fears Ash wouldn't survive, he is now thriving in a southeast Queensland backyard of a new-found friend, Geoffrey.

The neighbouring kids, including Elke, 3, regularly visit him.

RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said it was "heartening" to see the pig flourish.

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