Visayan warty pig  (Sus cebifrons)

The Visayan warty pig is highly endangered; the species has been lost from 3 of the 6 major islands where it was found, and is on the verge of disappearing from a fourth (5). Deforestation in the Philippines has been widespread and habitat loss along with hunting pressure is one of the main causes of the precipitous decline in numbers. Interbreeding with domestic pigs provides a further threat to the few surviving populations and it seems unlikely that purebred forms will persist in the wild for long (5). These pigs also suffer from persecution by local farmers who view the animals as pests; they are subject to high levels of illegal hunting pressure for local consumption, are caught in pitfall traps or wire snares, and may sometimes be killed with explosive devices that are baited and buried in the ground, to be excavated by rooting individuals (6).

The Visayan Warty Pig Conservation Programme was established in 1991 (5), with the long-term aim of reintroducing 'warties' into areas from which they have been lost (4). Two captive breeding and rescue centres have been established on Negros, one by Silliman University and another at the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation (5). In addition, a centre has been established on the island of Panay by the College of Agriculture and Forestry; as of June 2001, the total captive population for the species was 41 (5). The Visayan Warty Pig Conservation Programme is also involved with research into these poorly understood pigs and works to increase local awareness of the issues involved. The Philippines has more species of wild pig than any other nation, however, most of these are severely endangered, and habitat loss and hunting are rife; the efforts to save the Visayan warty pig are a battle against time (4).