About Otter Creek Foundation, Inc. (5)
Otter Creek Foundation, Inc., is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to conducting research, data collection and developing humane solutions to managing invasive species in our lives and ecosystems. Our efforts began as far back as the 1970s but we focused our team in 2023 and 2024 in North Florida. We organized as a nonprofit corporation in 2026 and are applying for 501(c)(3) status.
No, we are not a traditional Private Foundation in the sense that we do not have a large pot of money that we provide to other organizations and individuals for their efforts. Instead we are a for public benefit nonprofit that performs the research and data gathering to include design, creation, and testing of unique and novel methods of controlling invasive and non-native species.
Yes. The creek is real. The otter is real. The name of the creek is not officially “Otter Creek” but is a reference to the creek’s inhabitants. The name we gave the otter that frequents our river, creek and Pig Pond is Mr. Otter Creek. See his story here.
We are located in the northern Gulf Coast of Florida in a small town called Steinhatchee. Steinhatchee is known for its fishing, hunting, and especially its scallop season every fall. Steinhatchee is about 2 hours south of Tallahassee with Perry, Cross City, Fanning Springs, Old Town, Salem, Jena and Chiefland being some of the neighboring communities. People may remember Steinhatchee as the site of three hurricane landings in 2023 (Idalia) and 2024 (Debby and Helene). Our facility suffered a lot of tree damage and one of our vehicles was destroyed by a falling tree. However, our main building was spared the flood waters because we are up on 9 foot stilts and sitting well above the flood plain.
Yes! We received our Tax Exempt Determination letter dated 03 JUN 2026 with an effective date of exemption of 19 MAY 2026 exempting us from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Donors can deduct contributions they make to our organization under IRC Section 170. We are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers, or gifts under Section 2055, 2016, or 2522. We are classified as a public charity.
Dakota Research Labs, Inc. is the Operational organization for designing, developing and implementing the immunological and pathogen defense vaccines currently provisionally patented by the Founders. Originally the Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) started by the Founders to bring together the resources and information to research and design the oral vaccines, Dakota Research Labs, LLC will be disbanded as a business entity and the assets sold to Dakota Research Labs, Inc., a Delaware C-Corp structure. Otter Creek Foundation’s Founders are the Dakota Research Labs Founders also. Otter Creek Foundation is a completely separate organization with no cross-pollination of bank accounts, staffing or resources. Dakota Research Labs owns the Field Laboratory and through contracting to Otter Creek Foundation, we are able to use the laboratory. In return we support the Dakota Research Labs projects that fit within our charter and approved by our Board through funding we receive from donations and grants. This structure, a separate nonprofit organization working alongside a fully formed C-Corporation is not unique in the business world and has considerable benefits. Notwithstanding the serious rigor required to maintain strict separation between the two organizations, the work that we do together is mutually beneficial. Dakota Research Labs can receive significant internal cost savings if Otter Creek can perform the testing and data collection when funded by donors. When not funded by donations or grants, Dakota Research Labs pays Otter Creek Foundation fair market rates for their efforts. The benefit to Otter Creek is that these beneficial products get out to the public faster and support our donors efforts for wildlife welfare, domestic animal welfare, worldwide Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) projects and even overpopulation efforts against invasive species and disease carrying pests like mice and rats. All interactions, whether donations, contracts or sharing of data and information are fully auditable and will be audited annually by an independent organization.
Our Mascot Mr. Otter Creek (1)
Mr. Otter Creek is a young male (we assume) river otter that we first met when he was a few weeks old and his parents brought him and his sibling out to swim and fish. we would often have the Creek otter family of four come to our banks and fish in the creek. As Otter and his sibling got older, they left their mother’s den and set out on their own. Otter stayed near the creek and our pig pond while his sibling moved further down river. They can be seen playing and fishing together on occasions. Otter quickly realized the little pig pond was full of crawdads and shrimp. He can be seen at least once a week fishing in the pond and eating his fill of crawdads, shrimp and fish. Once he eats all he can catch, he will climb out of the pond, roll in the soft sand and nap.
How Can I Get Involved? (2)
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Adoptions (2)
Donations and Adoptions are currently not accepted until we receive final permitting approval from the State of Florida. We have recently received our determination as a Tax Exempt Organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code (IRC).
Donations (3)
Donations are currently not accepted until we receive final permitting approval from the State of Florida. We have recently received our determination as a Tax Exempt Organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code (IRC).
Donating either money, time or assets is a big decision, both personally and financially. It should not be taken lightly. Bottom line, consider a donation like an investment in a project, ideal or organization you are passionate about. If you cannot afford it. DON’T DONATE. You can help in other ways, simply by getting the word out about the organization you want to help. Most donations come from repeat donors followed by referrals.
The Federal Trade Commission provides some things to consider when looking to donate:
Four Things To Do Before You Donate to a Charity
- Search online for the cause you care about. Search for terms that describe the cause — like “hurricane relief” or “homeless kids” — plus phrases like “best charity” or “highly rated charity.” Some organizations like BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Watch have curated lists of well-rated charities. Once you find a specific charity you’re considering giving to, search its name plus “complaint,” “review,” “rating,” “fraud,” or “scam.” If you find bad reviews, consider finding another organization.
- Check out the charity’s website. Does it give you details about the programs you want to support or how it uses donations? How much of your donation will go directly to support the programs you care about? If you can’t find detailed information about a charity’s mission and programs, be suspicious.
- Find out if the fundraiser and charity are registered. Most states require charities and their fundraisers to register with the state regulator. Check to see if a fundraiser and the charity they’re calling on behalf of are registered with your state’s charity regulator.
- Check to see if the donation will be tax deductible. If this is important to you, confirm that the organization you’re donating to is registered with the IRS as a tax-exempt organization. Look up the organization in the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool.
How You Pay When You Donate
If you’re ready to donate
- Pay attention to how you pay. If a charity says the only way to pay is with cryptocurrency, wiring money through Western Union or MoneyGram, a payment app, or a gift card, it’s likely a scam.
- Donate by credit card or check. It’s the safest way to donate. If the charity doesn’t accept checks or credit cards, it’s likely a scam.
- If you’re donating online, make sure the webpage where you enter your payment information has “https” in the URL. That means your information is encrypted and transmitted securely. But encryption alone doesn’t mean the site is legit. Scammers know how to encrypt, too.
After you’ve donated
- Review your bank account and credit card statements. Make sure you’re only charged the amount you agreed to donate ― and that you’re not signed up to make a recurring donation if you didn’t mean to.
- Keep a record of all donations. You may need them later if your donations are tax deductible.
If you sent money to a scammer, read What To Do if You Paid a Scammer for advice on how to try to recover your money.
How To Avoid Donating to a Fake Charity
- Don’t rush. Scammers try to rush you into donating, so you don’t have time to research their claims or think it through.
- Don’t trust your caller ID. Technology makes it easy for scammers to fake caller ID information. Calls can look like they come from your local area code, or from a specific organization, even if they don’t. In reality, the caller could be anywhere in the world.
- If the fundraiser says you already pledged, stop and check. The caller or mailer may lie and say you already pledged to donate, or that you donated to them last year. They think that means you’ll be more willing to donate.
- Listen carefully to the name of the charity, write it down, and then research it. Some scammers use names that sound a lot like real charities to confuse you. Do some research before you give.
- Watch for sentimental claims with few details. Be suspicious if you hear a lot of vague sentimental claims — for example, that the charity helps families that can’t afford cancer treatment or veterans wounded at war who can’t work — but the charity doesn’t give specifics about how it will use your donation.
- Don’t donate for a guaranteed prize. If someone guarantees you’ll win a prize or contest if you contribute, that’s a scam. You won’t win anything, and your donation will go to a scammer.
- Don’t click on links or respond to unexpected texts. If you get an unexpected text message asking you to donate, don’t use the information in the text message. Contact the charity or visit its website and donate directly to the charity.
- Don’t click on links or open an attachment in an email unless you know the sender. These attachments can include malware that can steal information from your computer.
A Pig is A Pig (4)
YES! FERAL HOGS ARE EXTEMELY DANGEROUS!
Do not feed them or approach them. If Feral Hogs are around, homeowners should be careful with their pets, especially dogs on a leash.
Hogs may decide to attack them.
We have been working with these hogs for several years and have earned their trust. We also know which pigs we can trust and which ones are the most dangerous. Like other researchers working with wild animals, we understand their personalities and actions.
We always provide a clear pathway for our escape and one for the animals.
We never get between the young and the adult pigs.
We watch their stress levels and act accordingly.
Although we tell stories about the pigs, as if they were family members, we ensure they know we are humans and a key predator of their species. We do, however, have a very close relationship built on trust.
Pigs are one of the smartest animals on the planet after the great apes, whales, dolphins, and orcas. They can recognize that we are humans they can trust and our facility is a relatively safe area. They interact with other humans almost daily and continue to show fear and a desire to not be near a human. They are able to compartmentalize our working relationship from the rest of their lives. This is critical to our work and the environment around us. Although we have no issue with a 400 pound boar hog napping in our back yard, our neighbors would be obviously concerned. We work hard in the actions we take to ensure the pigs do not think that all humans are offering food or treats.
We also never touch the pigs. We may offer a pig with a gentle personality a treat from our hand, and they take it so gently, but we do not pet the pigs, scratch them or touch them in any way. If they accidentally touch our skin, they will recoil in fear and move away.
They are not pets. They are dangerous wild animals and are subject to mood changes, fear, fight or flight. We keep it that way.
Feral Hogs are Pigs. A pig is a pig. Sorta.
Feral swine are not native to the Americas. They were first brought to the United States in the 1500s by early explorers and settlers as a source of food. Free-range livestock management practices and escapes from enclosures led to the first establishment of feral swine populations within the United States. In the 1900s, the Eurasian or Russian wild boar was introduced into parts of the United States for the purpose of sport hunting. Today, feral swine are a combination of escaped domestic pigs, Eurasian wild boars, and hybrids of the two.
yes. Genetically they are similar and in some cases the same.
Yes, domestic pigs readily become feral when they escape or are released into the wild. In a remarkably short amount of time, they adapt to their new environment, undergoing significant behavioral and physical transformations to survive. Google it.
When domestic pigs go wild, they exhibit several notable traits and transformations:
- Physical Changes: Within just a few months or generations, they begin to lose their floppy ears and smooth, pink skin. They grow thicker, coarser hair, develop a distinct ridge or mane along their backs, and males grow prominent, sharp tusks.
- Dietary Adaptations: They revert to being true omnivores. They will eat almost anything they can find, including crops, roots, small animals, carrion, and insects, often completely tearing up the forest floor in the process.
- Behavioral Shifts: Feral pigs become highly warier of humans, more territorial, and much more aggressive, which helps them defend themselves against predators.
- Rapid Reproduction: They are incredibly prolific and can reproduce by six months of age. Because of this fast breeding cycle, feral pigs are classified as a destructive, invasive species capable of causing severe damage to agriculture and native habitats.
How Feral Pigs Live (1)
Pig Language and Learning (1)
Piggly Fun and Games (1)
Our primary project today is supporting the Dakota Research Labs in the continued development, testing, permitting and employment of an oral contraception vaccine for both male and female feral hogs.
Feral hogs can breed at the early age of 6 months and a single female can have two litters of 6 to 9 piglets a year! With few natural predators, even human control measures such as trapping, barbaric field castrations, and hunting cannot keep up with the exponential population growth.
That is why our Founders are developing oral contraceptives. Their solution does not kill the pigs, just permanently sterilizes them, painlessly and without side effects. This will result in an exponential reduction of the pig population to manageable levels through natural and man-made causes.
This effort is expensive, but well worth it to overcome the $1.5 Billion in damages currently caused by the Feral Hog population explosion. Check our FERAL HOG PROJECT page to see the latest status.
Some of the requirements we address through donations and adoption funds:
Vaccine Delivery Equipment & Feeders – feeders are essential to delivering the medicated food products safely and without impact to the surrounding environment and animals. Pigs are smart and destructive. They learn how to dismantle the feeders to access the feed. We have to replace our feeders at least yearly. We need six new feeders @ $400 per feeder.
Laboratory Equipment & Supplies – as a biogenetics lab, our consumables and supplies are very expensive, but the end result is a solution that saves the world.
Medicine & Antibiotics – Feral hogs contract many diseases and suffer from numerous cuts and scrapes. Although their immune system is rather remarkable, we provide oral medications, antibiotics, and vitamins to help our “research partners” be as healthy as possible to ensure the best environment for our vaccine solutions.
Pig Food – food is essential to the delivery of our oral vaccine for contraception. We average $800 – $1000 per month for feed.
BSL1/BSL2 Test Facilities – The testing of the vaccines for permitting by the USDA-APHIS and the EPA must be accomplished through laboratory and live animal testing. We support no kill animal testing only. This requires Dakota Research Labs to contract for a Biological Safety Level (BSL) 1 or 2 facility. This is a facility that segregates the test subjects and maintain strict control and protocols that work to ensure secure and predictable results. This is extremely expensive. Dakota Research Labs will be contracting us to help with the data collection, auditing and reporting of the results. If we get the funding, we could fund the entire testing process which puts the benefits of the tests readily available for the public and other research facilities per our charter as a public benefit charity.
Swine brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Brucella suis (B. suis). It produces chronic inflammatory lesions in the reproductive organs that lead to abortions, infertility, and birth of weak piglets. The disease can also attack joints, leading to lameness.
The United States eliminated the disease from commercial swine in 2011. However, swine brucellosis is still present in wild swine in this country. Any mammal exposed to feral swine are at risk of infection. And yes, Swine Brucellosis can also infect people.
During their research into an effective contraception for feral hogs, our Founders asked themselves if their research could also address the brucellosis problem. Nearly all of our ”research partners” (our pig family), showed signs of brucellosis, with many suffering greatly or succumbing to the disease completely. Because the oral vaccine is similar to the oral vaccines used for COVID-19 and other newer generation treatments, it was not a stretch to use the immunologic capability of this new design to attack brucellosis. This vaccine, if successful, will be able to be used across all wild and domestic animals as a preventive vaccine.
Check our FERAL HOG BRUCELLOSIS ORAL VACCINE PROJECT page to see the latest status.
Vaccine Testing and Data Collection – Using similar tools currently employed to design and create vaccines for the Flu and COVID, we will be tasked to refine and test this solution. This is a precise process with key controls and steps required for validation and approval by State and Federal Agencies. The testing and permitting process is expensive, and funds are needed to allow for contracting out the live animal testing and any resulting redesign and retesting as required by the reviewers. Development for commercial delivery and sales will most likely be best contracted out to third party laboratories that specialize in this area. We need help with your donations to develop, test, permit and prepare for commercial deployment.
The Dakota Research Labs Field Laboratory is a small (very small) field laboratory designed for creation and testing of the vaccines and the parts that make up the vaccines. It is also a place to store the vaccines and the equipment necessary for data collection and reporting. Dakota Research Labs has contracted with us to help complete the build and installation of the Field Lab with in house staff and funding. In return we get to use the lab free of charge. Dakota Research Labs Field Laboratory completion and equipment setup is critical to all of the projects we will be supporting. The Founders original LLC maintains ownership of over $500,000 worth of new and used equipment. Much of this equipment requires some level of repair or maintenance to be fully operational. As we progress through the projects, we will need to bring more of this shared vital equipment online. The high-value equipment, such as gene sequencers, DNA synthesizers, and sample analysis tools, require a considerable investment in supplies and consumables such as chemicals and reagents. These costs are planned for the future by Dakota Research Labs when they seek investors for seed funding. Because their use in-house will considerably offset the external costs to develop and implement our testing and data collection, we are eager to help Dakota Research Labs to implement this equipment as soon as practical. Dakota Research Labs currently relies on third party vendors to provide the components they need to create the designed vaccines and perform laboratory testing and evaluation of efficacy. Once we as a collective can enable the equipment in the lab, we will cut the overall project costs by at least 60%. This translates to more funds for live animal testing and efforts to support permitting and licensing. This means a faster time to market and a quicker time to the field where these products are needed.
Some of the requirements we hope to address through your donations of equipment and funds:
Ultra Low Temperature Freezer Maintenance and Repair – Ultra Low Temperature freezers reach cold temperatures up to -80C. This is necessary to freeze and protect the DNA fragments and final vaccine products to be tested and designed. The annual maintenance of the lab’s two freezers will exceed $800. A coolant recharge and component repair is needed for the primary freezer at a cost of $1,400.
Laboratory Equipment Calibration – Lab equipment is required to be accurate to levels that necessitates frequent testing and calibration. Weigh scales and balances, pipettors, incubators, chillers, protein and DNA synthesizers, DNA sequencers, biosafety hoods and personal protective equipment all need routine maintenance and calibration. A certified technician is usually required to perform the calibration to maintain required standards. The annual costs for calibration and maintenance will exceed $1,500.
Laboratory Consumables & Chemicals – To maintain clean and sterile environments and practices, laboratory consumables such as flasks, tubes, bottles, petri dishes, pipette tips, weigh scale boats, reagents, growing material, etc., are not reused under best practices. This results in a need for significant amount of consumables and supplies on a routine basis. Also, specific consumables kits are required for the gene sequencers or synthesizers. The annual expectation of consumable costs will exceed $10,000.
Laboratory Computers and Software – We are currently configuring donated and used computer equipment to set up the data server and software host Dakota Research Labs needs to network and run the lab’s equipment. However, the biggest expense will be the large amount of data storage required for gene sequencing. Although digital storage is getting less expensive, we are still expecting to pay in excess of $4,000 to get our network and servers up and running. One of the most critical needs right now is a comprehensive Laboratory Management System. This software is key to perform and manage laboratory supplies and equipment inventory and usage, manage individual projects through specific protocols required for validation and certification, support budget management, integrate with staffing and project management applications, prepare for and complete audit requirements, and develop real time dashboards and scheduled reports. After a lengthy assessment, the Lab Management System we selected will cost $2,500 per year. We hope to get enough donations to support our subscription for three years or more. Our total need for this requirement is in excess of $12,000.
SUPPORT THE LAB FITOUT PROJECT HERE
Florida Iguanas are not necessarily competing with other Florida reptiles, but they do carry reptilian diseases and are a nuisance. These animals have no natural predators for control and are growing well beyond the ability of the ecosystem to support them and our native species as well. Our efforts are to find a humane solution to effectively manage these invaders without the need for significant human interaction. Dakota Research Labs has licensed the oral vaccine that is species specific for Florida Iguana (Iguana iguana) and we will be contracted to perform the labor for field testing once permitting is approved.
Lionfish were released in the Florida Keys by an entrepreneur who thought he could create a natural source of a very good eating fish for his restaurant. Lionfish have crowded out native reef fish and are destroying the local ecosystem. These animals have few natural predators for control and are growing well beyond the ability of the ecosystem to support them alongside our native species. Our efforts are to find a humane solution to effectively manage these invaders without the need for significant human interaction. Dakota Research Labs will contract us to support gene sequencing of invasive lionfish populations in the Florida Keys.
The Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit was federally recognized as an “endangered species” on June 21, 1990. It is affected by destruction to its habitat. The urbanized Florida Keys have left the rabbit with a very small home range, making it more vulnerable to threats such as pollution, vehicular road kill, and predation by stray cats. In 1995, scientists predicted a gradual decline in the rabbits abundance and extinction by 2045. The Lower Keys marsh rabbit population is estimated to contain approximately 150 individuals.
The largest population of Endangered Lower Keys Marsh Rabbits resides on the US Naval Base on Boca Chica Key near Key West, Florida. Our Key West Team are proposing to perform data collection on the numbers and location of these tiny rabbits. The effort will occur mostly at night when the rabbits are most active and Naval Flight Operations are limited. This data collection will support research performed decades earlier and may help determine if conservation efforts are helping or if further actions are required. Our Key West Team is made up of active duty and retired military and US Government Civilians which allows for unhindered base access. Our relationship with the Base Leadership and experience within the base infrastructure should assist in a smooth and transparent integration within the base activities.
Funding Required to Begin – Although this is a short project and the effort will mostly be conducted by volunteers, we need funding to provide lodging, food, transportation and appropriate clothing for the teams. Additionally, we need to provide night vision cameras and if allowed, a drone capable of IR and night vision photography. This equipment will see benefit across the other projects as we are tasked to conduct research and data collection for each additional effort.
Check our Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit Research page for more information and to see our latest status.
Pythons have found a perfect habitat in the Everglades and South Florida. They are decimating the native small mammal population and are crowding out native reptiles. These animals have no natural predators for control and are growing well beyond the ability of the ecosystem to support them and our native species as well. Our efforts are to find a humane solution to effectively manage these invaders without the need for significant human interaction.
Good question. We are a nonprofit research organization. We receive our funding through donations, grants and through contracted services.
For the immunocontraception projects we are on contract to Dakota Research Labs, to perform testing, data collection and analysis. Where practical, we will also be used to develop new products and protocols. Based on the RFP and Statement of Work, we will be the boots on the ground for the Feral Hog Project and will also oversee the contract animal testing services performed by certified laboratories. We will also help with the data gathering required for permitting and regulation.
We will be the primary labor effort for the Florida Iguana immunocontraception project in the Florida Keys once Dakota Research receives approval for field testing.
For the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit Project, we will be the primary lead for the data collection and reporting. This effort will focus primarily in the Florida Keys and mostly at Naval Air Station Key West. We are waiting on funding or donations before we contact the NAS Key West Commanding Officer directly.
Wildlife research and genetics rely on a blend of non-invasive field sampling, molecular analysis, and advanced genomic modeling. These methods allow scientists and researchers to track population sizes, map evolutionary history, and manage wildlife welfare without directly capturing or harming the animals.
Field Collection Methods (Sample Acquisition)
Before genetic analysis can happen, biological samples must be collected in the wild. Modern techniques prioritize minimizing stress to the animals:
- Non-invasive genetic sampling: Gathering naturally deposited material like hair, scat, feathers, or shed skin from the environment. This is widely used by researchers to avoid altering animal behavior.
- Environmental DNA (eDNA): Filtering water, soil, or air samples to capture cellular material shed by wildlife. It is an efficient way to detect elusive species or monitor biodiversity without ever seeing the animals themselves.
- Invasive sampling: Traditional methods requiring capture, such as taking blood draws, tissue punches, or clipping hair/feathers.
Laboratory and Analytical Methods
Once biological samples are gathered, geneticists use several laboratory frameworks and genetic markers to extract, amplify, and sequence DNA:
- PCR and Genotyping: Using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to replicate small amounts of DNA. Researchers analyze specific markers like short DNA sequences that repeat and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) to track individual animals, map kinship, and gauge genetic diversity.
- Genomic sequencing: Utilizing Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to examine the entire genome. This helps researchers uncover hidden genetic diseases, evaluate inbreeding depression, and identify adaptive variations that might help a species survive climate change.
Applied Disciplines and Modeling
The raw genetic data is then used to inform broader ecological studies and conservation strategies:
Landscape genomics/Phylogeography: Combining genetic data with geographic information to determine how physical barriers (like highways or rivers) impact animal migration and evolutionary history.
Population genetics: Assessing the genetic differences within and between populations to define distinct management units. This tells researchers if a population is isolated or experiencing gene flow.
Conservation genetics: Applying genetic analysis directly to the management and recovery of threatened or endangered species. It aids in planning captive breeding programs and translocations.
We use automated feeders to provide a timed and fairly controlled feeding of corn and supplements to the feral hog population in our study. This allows us to provide vitamins, antibiotics, and treatments. This allows us to provide conditioning for the pigs that will allow us to provide the oral contraceptive vaccines and any disease-related vaccines. In a field application of our contraceptives, we would set up a portable feeder at a controlled site and condition the local feral hogs by feeding untreated feed for about two weeks. Then we can introduce the vaccinated feed and monitor the results.
Over the years we have tried many different methods of providing the oral vaccines and any other treatment materials to the pigs. Because our vaccines are oral, it was key to find a food product that the pigs would enjoy and readily consume. The pigs have shown a definite love for peanuts, bread items, cookies and especially dog treats. Dog treats turned out to be the best option for storage and distribution. They also are hard and crunchy, which tends to prepare the pig’s mouth, throat and insides to accept the vaccine more readily. The dog treats are porous and soak up the vaccines more readily. The dog treats are less likely to be eaten by non-target animals like birds and squirrels.
That was Limpy. She was a sweetheart. To be fair, we did not teach her to sit. She taught herself with three dog bones. See Limpy’s Story here. We are not here to teach pigs to do tricks. We research them and this opportunity proved to us how smart pigs, even feral pigs, really are. Limpy was a compassionate and smart pig. She was the most trusting of the pigs and would bring her piglets to us to have us give them treats as she taught them our names (the pigs have a specific grunt for Jane and Keith) and how to learn the times the feeders would dispense the food. One day, as we were handing out dog treats (which we use to dispense medication and will use for the oral vaccines), Limpy came to Mr. Keith and grunted his name for her treats. She would bump him with her nose if he was not giving her treats when it was her turn. On a whim, Keith held the dog bone up over Limpy’s head and said “SIT” like you would a dog.
This was not a planned exercise or test. It was just the kind of thing a person would do just to see what happens. Not very research-like, but sometimes the best results come from the most unexpected sources and methods.
Limpy sat down naturally, like a dog would do, and was given the bone. Trying it again, Keith held the bone closer to Limpy’s face and said “SIT”. Limpy sat back and was given the bone. Keith then said “SIT” without a bone visible and to our astonishment, Limpy sat down and grunted. We do not know what the grunt means, but we hear it from the pigs when they want a treat and again when we give them one. We think it could be a sort of “thank you” or “please” grunt. Pigs will also use this same grunt after the Doctor Pig would perform her services. (See our Language FAQ here). She was given a bone and apparently had learned a new trick. Keith called Jane to come video Limpy and without any more practice, he said “SIT”, which she did without hesitation. See the actual video here. Each day she would come and sit at the gate leading to the stairs until Keith would come down with her treats. Then she would get up and only sit when he said the word. Of note, pigs do not normally sit to relax or for any other reason. This was a deliberate learned action. Soon we noticed that when we said “SIT”, Limpy’s babies would all sit also. She had taught them, or they had learned by watching their mother sit for treats.
We made it a point to not use the SIT word very often. We are not training a pig act. But we did introduce the word several times with weeks in between its use to see if Limpy and her piglets would remember the word and the action. Sometimes they would look at us as if to say “really, do I need to do this right now?” then they would comply. Their memory is amazing and proven over many activities and events.
Sadly, we lost Limpy this past winter (2025-2026) to hunters. She was a good pig and a great Spokesmodel.
Dakota Research Labs, Inc. is the Operational organization for designing, developing and implementing the immunological and pathogen defense vaccines currently provisionally patented by the Founders. Originally the Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) started by the Founders to bring together the resources and information to research and design the oral vaccines, Dakota Research Labs, LLC will be disbanded as a business entity and the assets sold to Dakota Research Labs, Inc., a Delaware C-Corp structure. Otter Creek Foundation’s Founders are the Dakota Research Labs Founders also. Otter Creek Foundation is a completely separate organization with no cross-pollination of bank accounts, staffing or resources. Dakota Research Labs owns the Field Laboratory and through contracting to Otter Creek Foundation, we are able to use the laboratory. In return we support the Dakota Research Labs projects that fit within our charter and approved by our Board through funding we receive from donations and grants. This structure, a separate nonprofit organization working alongside a fully formed C-Corporation is not unique in the business world and has considerable benefits. Notwithstanding the serious rigor required to maintain strict separation between the two organizations, the work that we do together is mutually beneficial. Dakota Research Labs can receive significant internal cost savings if Otter Creek can perform the testing and data collection when funded by donors. When not funded by donations or grants, Dakota Research Labs pays Otter Creek Foundation fair market rates for their efforts. The benefit to Otter Creek is that these beneficial products get out to the public faster and support our donors efforts for wildlife welfare, domestic animal welfare, worldwide Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) projects and even overpopulation efforts against invasive species and disease carrying pests like mice and rats. All interactions, whether donations, contracts or sharing of data and information are fully auditable and will be audited annually by an independent organization.