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Zoo Boise Welcomes Visayan Warty Pigs

Zoo Boise welcomes 3 Visayan warty pigs from the San Diego Zoo. The warty pigs are now on display in the exhibit that formerly housed the gemsbok. Zoo Boise is 1 of only 10 zoos in the country to house this species.

Visayan warty pigs were once native to 6 islands in the Phillipines, but today are only found on 2 of them. They are considered 1 of the most highly endangered species of wild pigs. The pigs are the only species at Zoo Boise that are naturally found in the Phillipines, 1 of the most biologically-rich countries in the world.

The pigs come to Zoo Boise as a part of the Species Survival Plan, a program of the Association of Zoos & Aquarium (AZA). Zoo Boise is accredited by the AZA. The breeding program targets selected endangered or threatened species in order to maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population for these animals. The goal is to increase the numbers of these animals with the hope of ultimately reintroducing certain zoo-bred animals into their natural habitats. Zoo Boise participates in 14 SSP programs.

Visayan warty pigs get their name from 3 sets of warts or bumps the males have on their faces which protect the pigs from the tusks of rivals. The Visayan warty pig’s most distinctive feature is the thick mane the males grow during the mating season. This spiky mane is similar in appearance to a Mohawk, giving this species the nickname, “Punk rock pigs.”

“Visayan warty pigs are nearly extinct in the wild. This is a rare chance to see an animal that is one of the most unusual looking mammals in the world,” says Steve Burns, Zoo Director.