In a continued effort to save one of the world's rarest mammals, nine captive-bred pygmy hogs have been released into the wild at Manas National Park in Assam, India.
The release, led by the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP), of which Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a founding partner, brings the total number of pygmy hogs reintroduced to 179 across four protected areas in Assam.
The pygmy hog, once thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in the 1970s, faces ongoing threats from habitat loss, invasive species and human disturbance.
Since 1996, PHCP has worked to protect this endangered species, with reintroduction efforts starting in 2008. According to Dr. Parag Jyoti Deka, PHCP Project Director at Durrell, the pygmy hog serves as a vital indicator of the health of its grassland habitat, which also supports other endangered species such as the Bengal florican, hispid hare and hog deer.
“The survival of the pygmy hog is closely tied to the overall well-being of these grasslands,” says Dr. Deka. “If the hogs cannot thrive, other species, including iconic animals like rhinos and elephants, will also struggle.”
Dr. Deka emphasises the importance of conserving these biodiverse ecosystems, which not only protect wildlife but also provide essential services for local communities, such as flood mitigation and groundwater replenishment.
This latest release is the fifth in Manas National Park since 2020, bringing the total number of pygmy hogs released in the park to 63. Manas is home to some of the largest remaining grasslands in the sub-Himalayan region, making it a key site for the species’ recovery.
The programme has also seen success in other areas, including Orang National Park, where a thriving population of around 130 hogs is now made up of wild-born individuals. Monitoring these elusive animals in the dense grasslands has proven challenging, but the team employs camera traps and tracking methods to gather crucial data on their dispersal and behaviour.
This year, six of the released hogs have been fitted with radio collars to better understand their movements and habitat use. Camera trap footage from last year’s release in Manas captured the first sighting of a pregnant pygmy hog in the wild – a promising sign for the population’s future.
“Establishing a stable pygmy hog population requires a balance between habitat management and detailed population monitoring,” says Dr. Dhritiman Das, PHCP Field Scientist at Durrell.
As part of their ongoing efforts, PHCP will continue to monitor the species and maintain a small breeding population of hogs for future releases.
Backed by key partners including Durrell, the Assam Forest Department, and Ecosystems-India, the PHCP aims to secure a sustainable future for the pygmy hog and the unique grasslands they call home.
What is a pygmy hog?
The pygmy hog (Porcula salvania) holds the title of the world’s smallest and rarest wild pig, and it’s the only member of its unique genus.
Standing just 25cm tall and weighing between 6–9kg, this tiny pig is easily distinguished by its short 2–3cm tail and slender body. Living in small groups of 4–8 individuals, pygmy hogs are known for building intricate thatch nests where they live.
Once found along the nutrient-rich tall grasslands at the foothills of the Himalayas, the species has suffered greatly from habitat loss. These grasslands, prime targets for agriculture due to their fertility, have been overtaken by expanding human populations, farming and unregulated harvesting.
Today, the pygmy hog faces ongoing threats from grassland burning, livestock grazing, commercial forestry and human encroachment, which have wiped it out from much of its historic range in Assam and northern West Bengal.
With its numbers dwindling and its habitat under pressure, the pygmy hog's future remains precarious, making conservation efforts critical for its survival.
Main image: Pygmy hog/Craig Jones
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