This is how we get orcs

On a side note I understand that pigs can eat about two pounds of human flesh per minute.

At least in the elderscrolls they do

In Tolkien they are like twisted reflections of elves, I think.
Also according to Warcraft lore, pig people already exist, they're called Quilboar and they're different from Orcs.
In Elder Scrolls I think they are of elven blood but are generally not recognized as elves.

Thriving is a relative term however.....

They're doing great, there's more animals in the zone than the surrounding area because there's no humans in the zone to mess with them.

There's a fun documentary on radioactive wolves. It was fascinating.
I think this should take you to the video. I'm on mobile, so it won't play for me.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/radioactive-wolves-introduction/7108/