However, he had also long reported having trouble with people stealing and killing some of them.

In a social media post, HUHA (Helping You Help Animals) thanked locals who had been supporting the man’s animals.

“They have continued to support their gentle friend, vigilantly caring for his pets and protecting them from poachers, no mean task!

“Stu’s 50 pet pigs and three dogs are safe and heading back to HUHA.”

The group said locals helped load the animals onto trailers this morning.

“Stu had requested that we take the animals away, so they would no longer be at risk. Their safety means everything to him.”

HUHA said once the animals had settled they would desex the male pigs and then “let them live their best lives”.

“It’s a huge commitment, but how could we not? And with your support building them a 10-acre forest sanctuary is possible.”

A Givealittle page set up on Monday made an “urgent appeal” for the pigs’ safety and has since raised more than $48,000.

The group said it hoped one day Edmondson would be able to visit.

Edmondson, 77, appeared briefly in the High Court in Hamilton earlier this week to enter not-guilty pleas to multiple charges.

Both 41-year-old Mabbott and the other victim had been shot.

A witness told the Herald that Mabbott was “shot in the chest” and was pronounced dead at the scene.

He believed the other man had been hit in the shoulder.

The two victims were understood to have been hunting pigs at the time.

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