A rare babirusa, often called a 'pig-deer,' has been born at Chester Zoo in England, offering a glimmer of hope for a species teetering on the brink of extinction. The piglet, named Rana, was born weighing just a few hundred grams.
Rana is a member of a species native to just four islands in Indonesia. The babirusa's population in the wild is facing a severe decline, largely attributed to African swine fever. This deadly disease has devastated wild babirusa numbers, prompting conservationists to prepare for an uplisting of the species from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered status.
A recent study utilizing camera traps on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, which received support from Chester Zoo, recorded babirusas on only two occasions between 2023 and 2024. This highlights the critical situation faced by the species in its natural habitat.
Rana is the fifth piglet born to Matano, an 11-year-old babirusa who was also born at Chester Zoo. Hannah Owens, Assistant Team Manager at the zoo, expressed concern over the wild population's struggles, stating that the diminishing numbers are a significant worry and that piglets like Rana are vital for the species' survival.
Babirusas are distinguished from most pigs by their unique appearance. Males possess prominent upper tusks that grow through their snout and curve backward towards their face, contributing to their 'pig-deer' moniker. Unlike many pig species, babirusas typically have only one or two piglets per litter, which can slow population recovery rates after drastic declines.
Amy Humphreys, a conservationist at Chester Zoo, emphasized the urgency of conservation efforts. "We are in a race against time to understand what's happening to the population," Humphreys stated. "We risk losing a truly unique species, one that's an important part of Indonesia's cultural and natural heritage." She added that Rana's birth is a cause for celebration and an opportunity to draw attention to the babirusa and the need for its protection.
