Chester Zoo has welcomed an adorable, rare piglet with a striped tail to its endangered species.
Unnamed, the latest addition is one the Visayan Warty Pigs. These pigs are originally from the Philippines and can be found at the zoo.
Their family of five was completed by Tre (10 years old) and Mother Gwen (9 years old).
Chester Zoo has welcomed a real-life pig-in-a-blanket to Christmas. It is one of the rarest and most endangered piglets in the world.
The Visayan warty piglet is so far unnamed and is one of around 200 in the world
To complete their five-person family, the male piggy made it all the way to Gwen (9 years old) and Tre (10 (10) to bring him home.
The International Union of Conservation for Nature (IUCN) has listed these forest-dwelling animals as critical endangered.
There are only 200 remaining specimens of this species in the wild.
Massive areas of the native habitat have been destroyed by logging and agricultural expansion.
Pigs are hunted and persecuted because they raid crops. This makes them some of the most endangered wild pigs.
This species has experienced a sharp decline in wild population. Many areas in the Philippines have been destroyed by logging and agricultural expansion.
The International Union of Conservation for Nature (IUCN), has listed these forest-dwelling animals as critical endangered.
Visayan warty pork pigs go beyond your typical pig. Males grow a thick, sleek mane that extends from the top of their heads during breeding seasons, which gives them an almost mohawk-like look.
Mark Brayshaw (Curator of Mammals at Chester Zoo) said, “It’s amazing to see any animal’s birth, but when they are critically endangered and fighting against survival in nature, it just makes it more special.”
“Baby Piglets” are very energetic and playful, so they will keep the entire group busy for the next few months.
The ‘Visayan Warty Pigs’ are not your typical pig. The males get a mohawk-like style when they are in breeding season. They grow long manes that protrude from their heads.
Both mum Gwen, Tre and Tre were named after the punk rockers Gwen Stefani (and Tre Cool respectively). I am sure we will soon have a name that fits this tradition.
‘Baby piglets are incredibly energetic and playful,’ Mark Brayshaw, curator of mammals at Chester Zoo, said.
Gwen Stefani, Tre and Tre were named for punk rockers Tre and Gwen Cool.
You will find them in areas of the rainforest that remains on the Visayan islands, central Philippines.
There is very little information available about the wild animals. Experts believe that they are able to transfer their knowledge by working with them at the zoo.
“Every piglet, regardless of its size or gender, is an important addition to the breeding program. It will also help promote the welfare of this remarkable and charismatic species.”
Chester Zoo is pleased to announce the arrival of a new member.
Stuart Young, Chester Zoo’s Regional Field Programme Manager for South East Asian Islands, says: “Working in the Zoo with Visayan Warty Pigs gives us the chance to study these animals as we would never have in the wild.
“However, the valuable knowledge gained here at the Zoo is shared with our partners in Negros (the Philippines) and helped to reintroduce 19 Visayan warty Pigs into the wild. Bayawan Nature Reserve in Negros was the place where the pigs were first reintroduced in July 2020. The animals had been extinct since more than ten years ago.
“We are thrilled to share that our population has thriving, and 10 piglets have been born from the time they were rehomed.
“Although they can be forgotten and are not given the same attention as larger mammals, pigs play an important part in our ecosystem, which is why it’s so vital that we continue to fight for their survival.”
Chester Zoo was first UK zoo to take care of Visayan warty Pigs. This species is named after three fleshy warts that were found on the face of the boar.
A deadly Typhoon caused severe damage to buildings and fences at the Philippines’ breeding center and nature reserve, where the pigs were recently released.
Chester Zoo supports the Talarak Foundation in its repair costs. However, additional funding is required.
For almost four months, females can be pregnant
Visayan warty porks are socially interconnected and live in groups of small pigs.
Chester Zoo is the UK’s first Zoo to Care for Visayan Warty Pigs. The species was named after three pairs of fleshy warts found on the head of the boar.
The decline of the species – almost to the point of extinction – is blamed on habitat loss and hunting