Defining the Pygmy Hog
The pygmy hog (Porcula salvania) is the world’s smallest wild pig species. Adult pygmy hogs measure 55-71 cm long, stand 20-31 cm tall at the shoulder, and weigh 6.6-9.7 kg. Both sexes have a dark grayish-brown coat with sparse hair; males may develop a “moustache” of pale hairs above their upper lip. Their compact, streamlined bodies suit them for navigating dense, tall grasslands.
Historically, the pygmy hog was found across a narrow belt of tall, wet grasslands at the southern base of the Himalayas, stretching from Uttar Pradesh in India through Nepal and Bhutan to Assam. Today, its natural distribution is significantly reduced, primarily confined to specific protected areas in Assam, India, such as Manas National Park and Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary. This species relies on early successional riverine grasslands, which feature a mix of tall grass species like Imperata cylindrica and Saccharum munja, interspersed with various herbaceous plants and young trees. This highlights its dependence on a fragile ecosystem.
Life in its Natural Habitat
Pygmy hogs are diurnal, active during daylight hours. They spend approximately six to ten hours each day foraging for food, often taking a break midday to avoid the heat. Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of roots, tubers, and other plant matter, alongside insects, rodents, eggs, young birds, and small reptiles.
These small pigs are social, living in family groups of one or two adult females and their offspring. Adult males generally live solitary lives but maintain loose contact with family units. A distinctive behavior is their year-round nest building, rare among pig species. They construct nests by digging small trenches and lining them with dry grasses, using them for sleeping and resting, especially during extreme temperatures.
Conservation Imperative
The pygmy hog is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a designation held since 2008. The estimated wild population is fewer than 250 mature individuals, with the only viable natural population primarily in Manas National Park, Assam, India. This decline stems from significant threats.
Habitat loss and degradation are the primary dangers. Human settlements, agricultural expansion, livestock grazing, and commercial forestry have encroached upon and fragmented their grassland habitats. Practices like large-scale annual burning of grasslands during the dry season and tree planting further diminish suitable living spaces. Additionally, hunting and poaching, along with the risk of disease transmission from domestic livestock, pose ongoing threats to remaining wild populations.
In response to its perilous status, the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) began in 1995-1996. This collaborative effort involves organizations such as the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the IUCN/SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group, the Assam Forest Department, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. A core component of the PHCP is a successful captive breeding program, which began with six founder animals from Manas National Park. This program maintains a captive population of 70-80 hogs and serves as a source for reintroduction efforts.
Since 2008, over 142 captive-bred pygmy hogs have been reintroduced into the wild at sites including Sonai Rupai, Orang, Barnadi National Parks, and Manas National Park. Before release, hogs undergo a period in pre-release facilities to prepare for independent survival. Beyond breeding and reintroduction, the program focuses on habitat preservation and management, including controlled burning and preventing overgrazing. The pygmy hog is recognized as an indicator species for grassland ecosystem health.