Hog numbers grow thanks to Durrell conservation partnership

Thursday 12 October 2023

A rare species of pig is continuing to expand in numbers from the brink of extinction as the result of work by a Jersey-based conservation trust.

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a partner in the programme to bring captive-bred pygmy hogs back into the wild in the Manas national park in the Indian state of Assam.

A batch of 18 hogs have recently been released, making a total of 54 since the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme started with the first release in Manas in 2020.

The programme is building towards a target of 60 hogs by 2025.

Pygmy hogs – which stand about 25cm from the ground and weigh between 6 and 9kg – declined as a result of a loss of natural habitat and human encroachment to the point where it was believed that they may have become extinct in the 1970s.

The Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme dates back to 1996, and a total of 170 hogs have been successfully bred in captivity and reintroduced to the wild at a range of sites in Assam.

Pictured: Pygmy hogs are native to grasslands near the Himalayas.

Surveys have shown that hogs have moved at least two kilometres from release sites, demonstrating a healthy dispersal and exploration by reintroduced and wild-born individuals.

Pygmy Hog Conservation Director at Durrell, Dr Parag Jyoti Deka said: “The results of the surveys show the real impact that our captive breeding and release programmes can have towards saving species from extinction."

Durrell Chief Executive, Dr Lesley Dickie added: “These may be among the world’s most elusive creatures but anyone who catches a glimpse of the pygmy hogs can’t fail to appreciate their charm.

"But more than that, they’re an important species for their original habitats and we’re delighted to see their numbers going from strength-to-strength."