A rare babirusa, often called a 'pig-deer,' has been born at Chester Zoo in England, offering a glimmer of hope as the species faces a rapid decline in the wild.
Rana, the newborn babirusa, weighed just a few hundred grams at birth, described as being the size of a "grapefruit with legs." She is the fifth piglet born to 11-year-old mother Matano, who was also born at the zoo.
The arrival of the piglet comes as African swine fever is devastating babirusa populations in their native Indonesia. The species, found on only four islands in the Indonesian archipelago, was previously classified as Vulnerable but is now expected to be uplisted to Critically Endangered.
A recent camera-trap study on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, which was supported by Chester Zoo, recorded babirusas on only two occasions throughout 2023 and 2024. This highlights the urgent conservation concerns for the species.
"While babirusas are doing well in our care, I'm worried because they are really struggling in the wild," said Hannah Owens, Assistant Team Manager at Chester Zoo. "The numbers are radically reducing, and it would be horrendous if they disappeared. Piglets like Rana are a lifeline for the species."
Unlike most pig species, babirusas typically have only one or two piglets per litter, which can make population recovery slow after significant declines. The animals are known for their distinctive appearance, with males possessing unusual upper tusks that grow through their snout and curve back toward their face.
"We are in a race against time to understand what's happening to the population," stated Amy Humphreys, a conservationist at Chester Zoo. "We risk losing a truly unique species, one that's an important part of Indonesia's cultural and natural heritage. Rana's arrival is worth celebrating. Her birth is a chance to shine a light on babirusas and show people why they deserve protection."
Rana's birth underscores the critical role zoos play in conservation efforts for species facing extinction in their natural habitats.