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News: Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom recorded the birth of a babirusa as its wild populations face a rapid decline due to African swine fever.
About Babirusa/Pig-Deer
- They are unusual wild pigs commonly known as “pig-deer”.
- Species: Since 2001, scientists have recognized three extant species: Buru babirusa, North Sulawesi babirusa and Togian babirusa.
- Habitat: They inhabit tropical rainforests, lowland and hill forests, swamps and wetlands, especially areas near riverbanks and ponds with aquatic plants.
- Distribution: Babirusas are found exclusively on Indonesian islands, including Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru.
- The Buru babirusa is found on Buru, Mangole and Taliabu in the Maluku region.
- Characteristics:
- Distinctive Tusks: Males have upper canine teeth that grow through the snout and curve backward towards the forehead.
- Sparse Hair: Babirusas are much less hairy than other pigs, while the Buru babirusa has a distinctive golden-brown coat.
- Unusual Snout: They cannot root in the ground like other pigs because they lack a rostral bone in the snout.
- Diet: They are omnivorous and feed on leaves, roots, fruits and animal matter.
- Reproduction: Females usually give birth to only one or two piglets, making population recovery difficult after major declines.
- Ecological Role: They help in seed dispersal, nutrient cycling and soil aeration.
- Conservation Status
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Vulnerable but it is expected to be uplisted to Critically Endangered.
