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| Pygmy Hog |
| GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS Head to body Length : 55-71 cm (1.8-2.3 feet ) Tail Length : 2.5 cm ( 1 inch ) Height : 20-30 cm (8-12 inches ) Weight : 6.6-11.8 kg (14.6-26.2 lb ) Description : The hide is a dark brownish black color, and is covered by coarse, dark hair. Young are born a grayish-pink color, but become brown with the yellow longitudinal stripes seen in many piglets at about 11 days of age. The streamlined body is round and close to the ground, with short, stubby legs and virtually non-existent tail. The head is triangular-shaped and sharply tapered, with a slight crest of hair on the forehead and nape of the neck. In adult males the upper canines poke slightly out the sides of the mouth. Range - The Pygmy Hog is found only in the reserve forest belts of the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and the Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary in northwestern Assam, India. However, they were once found in throughout northern India, Bhutan, and Nepal. Habitat - They live in tropical savannas and grasslands. Diet - They eat on roots, tubers and other vegetative food as well as insects, eggs, young birds, and reptiles. Status - There are less than 150 hogs remaining in the wild, around the world. Reason for the status - This is because of over hunting by humans for food, and possible selling it. |
CURRENT SCENARIO
The pygmy hog, (Porcula salvania), is the world's rarest wild hog and most threatened by extinction. It stands about 25-30 cm from the ground and weighs up to 9 kg. The species was originally found in the narrow belt of alluvial tallgrass habitat that runs across the southern edge of the Himalayas in the Indian subcontinent. Tallgrass habitats, being very rich in nutrients, are highly suitable for cultivation and therefore came under significant pressures from expanding human populations, agriculture and uncontrolled harvesting; all of which caused the hog to die out. The continued practice of indiscriminate dry season burning and livestock grazing still threatens the last population in Manas.
John Fa, Director of Conservation Science for Durrell, says: "The pygmy hog was thought to be extinct in the 1960s as its habitat was disappearing due to human encroachment, livestock grazing and grass burning, but in 1971, the species was rediscovered in Assam. So, together with our partners, Durrell established the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme in 1995 for recovery of the species.
"The programme aimed to study the causes of decline in the species and establish a sustainable captive population, which could be used to reintroduce animals back to their restored native habitat. The conservation breeding has been extremely successful and we are now ready to release them back in to the wild in May 2008 before the monsoon season begins."
The hogs will be released in the Gelgeli grasslands of Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. Durrell, a charity that relies on donations to support its conservation programmes, has worked closely with the Sanctuary authorities to improve protection and control dry season burning of grasses. Sanctuary staff have also been trained in wildlife monitoring and habitat management.
A breeding facility was established at Basistha near the Assam capital, Dispur with the aim of raising a captive population ready for release back in to the wild. The programme is currently supported through a grant from the UK government's Darwin Initiative.
John Fa, Director of Conservation Science for Durrell, says: "The pygmy hog was thought to be extinct in the 1960s as its habitat was disappearing due to human encroachment, livestock grazing and grass burning, but in 1971, the species was rediscovered in Assam. So, together with our partners, Durrell established the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme in 1995 for recovery of the species.
"The programme aimed to study the causes of decline in the species and establish a sustainable captive population, which could be used to reintroduce animals back to their restored native habitat. The conservation breeding has been extremely successful and we are now ready to release them back in to the wild in May 2008 before the monsoon season begins."
The hogs will be released in the Gelgeli grasslands of Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. Durrell, a charity that relies on donations to support its conservation programmes, has worked closely with the Sanctuary authorities to improve protection and control dry season burning of grasses. Sanctuary staff have also been trained in wildlife monitoring and habitat management.
A breeding facility was established at Basistha near the Assam capital, Dispur with the aim of raising a captive population ready for release back in to the wild. The programme is currently supported through a grant from the UK government's Darwin Initiative.
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http://www.endangeredandrareanimals.com
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