Eight captive-bred pygmy hogs were released in Manas National Park in Assam on June 22. Four more are slated to be introduced soon under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP).

Pygmy hogs, the world’s smallest and rarest wild pigs, may get a new lease of life as an experiment to breed them in captivity for release in the wild got a fillip.

The first batch of 14 of this rare species were successfully released last year.

Captive breeding of pygmy hogs

• In 1996, six hogs — two males and four females — were captured from the Bansbari range of Manas National Park to start the breeding programme and later, a young male rescued in 2001, and another male and two females captured in 2013 from the same range, joined the captive breeding stock.

• Reintroduction of captive hogs in the wild began in 2008, initially in three Protected Areas.

• Over the next decade, 35 hogs (18 males and 17 females) were released in Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, 59 hogs, (26 males and 33 females) in Orang National Park, and 22 (11 males and 11 females) in Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary.

• The reintroductions in Orang have been particularly successful as they have multiplied almost two and a half times in number, and have spread to areas far from release locations.

Pygmy hog

Pygmy hog (Porcula salvania) is a suid native to alluvial grasslands in the foothills of the Himalayas at elevations of up to 300 m. 

Conservation: The pygmy hog is designated as a Schedule I species in India under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Threats to pygmy hog

Habitat loss and degradation: The main threats to survival of pygmy hogs are loss and degradation of habitat due to encroachment by human settlements, agricultural encroachments, flood control schemes, and improper management. Some management practices, such as planting of trees in the grasslands and indiscriminate use of fire to create openings and to promote fresh growth of grass, have caused extensive damage to the habitats the authorities intend to protect.

Hunting for wild meat: Although there were reports of this when the species was first rediscovered in 1971, it was not thought to be a major threat to the species as the hogs were so elusive and hunting in the grasslands was made difficult by the presence of large carnivores. However, there is evidence to suggest that hunting is increasingly threatening remnant populations of the hogs, though the threat of hunting on the reintroduced population is minimised as their range lies in a more secure, protected area.

Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme

• Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) is a collaborative project of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, IUCN/SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group, Forest Department of Assam government and the Union ministry of environment & forests. 

• It is implemented in Assam by the Rare & Endangered Species Conservation Unit (RESCU) of EcoSystems-India.

• The aim of the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme is to deliver a broad-based, multidisciplinary programme of conservation activities focussed on recovering the Critically Endangered pygmy hog. By promoting the pygmy hog as a flagship species for the wider conservation of the alluvial grasslands, the programme hopes to positively impact many other threatened species unique to this habitat.

The main objectives of the programme are:

• To assist recovery of the species by reintroducing captive-bred hogs into all suitable habitats remaining or restored in their former known range.

• To facilitate enhanced understanding of the species and its keystone role for better management and conservation of natural biodiversity in early successional alluvial grasslands of the Himalayan foothill plains in the Indian subcontinent.

Manas National Park

• Located in the Himalayan foothills in western Assam, Manas was originally a game reserve since 1928 and became a Tiger Reserve in 1973, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 and a Biosphere Reserve in 1989. 

• It was declared a national park in 1990.

• The Park is contiguous with the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal. 

• In 2003, it was declared part of Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve which serves as the international corridor for elephant migration between Indian and Bhutan. 

• Spread over an area of 500 sq km, the Park has extensive grasslands and is famous for its unique scenic beauty. 

• The park harbours more than 20 endangered species.

• The name of the Park originated from Manas River. It is a major tributary of Brahmaputra River, which passes through the heart of the national park.

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