Posted by Elizabeth Bacher, Communications
The Visayaybo pig is an endangered species that lives on several islands in the Philippines.Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren |
Check out a Trail of Vines favourite, the Visayan warty pig. Some changes are underway for our resident supporters and wild species.
You may remember that we spotlighted our three pigs in 2019. They are Guapa (aka Coolay), who turns 20 in April, and her two daughters, Burak (aka Scallop) and Magdura (aka French Fry), both her 13-year-old. is. Do these pigs have nicknames? Yes, pigs as special as these three of her pigs have been given both formal and affectionate nicknames by their adoring keepers. All three came to the Woodland Park Zoo together from the Los Angeles Zoo in 2012. The official names reflect the Filipino origin of each species.
Who doesn’t like delicious snacks? Nom Nom!Photo: Lindsay Wesselmann/Woodland Park Zoo |
Wild Visayaibo pigs once roamed extensively on six different islands in the Philippines, but logging and agriculture have destroyed more than 95% of their habitat. Hunting has also reduced populations, and these pigs often clash with farmers as pests that destroy crops. If that weren’t enough, they are now also threatened by a deadly type of swine virus that originated on the African continent and now spread to Asia, killing tens of millions of livestock, wild boars and pigs. It has been. (Scientists say the virus, unlike swine flu, does not pose a danger to human health.) As a result, local communities in Southeast Asia, as well as scientists and conservation groups around the world, trying to save extinct pig.
Bulak (aka Scallop) and Magdula (aka French Fry) are both 13 years old. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo |
Woodland Park Zoo is one of a handful of zoos lucky enough to care for wart pigs in the Visayas. For the first few years after Guapa, Burak and Magdura moved here, they all lived together in a hardwood forest exhibit in the tropical Asian area. They’re all still there, but when you visit, it might be just two of them, the Brak and Magdura sisters, in front of their habitat. reason? Their mother, Guapa, officially “retired” a few years ago. This can be translated as a change in the social structure of this group, which also happens in the wild. Now, Guapa can still see, hear, and smell his daughters, but he can be alone whenever he wants and has a separate garden behind his main habitat. You can live the best piglet life in the world. Sometimes she takes turns out in the main yard, when the daughters are in the other yard. But most of the time, she just loves a leisure life pampered with lots of naps, snacks, and body-scratching (from start to finish) by her doting animal keepers. fence) behind the scenes!
Guapa (aka Clay) enjoys being pampered with lots of naps and treats.Photo: Animal Keeper, Wendy/Woodland Park Zoo |
Now that their mother is retired, Burak and Magdura can rule the roost. These outgoing sisters may be twins, but they have completely different personalities. Magdula tends to be the more dominant of the two, but is also the most cautious, taking her time to investigate anything new she encounters. Burak, on the other hand, is pretty cool, which he may have inherited from his mother. And she’s also the most aggressive, when she announces to her keepers that a meal is ready or claims her favorite sleeping spot in her habitat, she yells, “My Don’t hesitate to let us know your needs. Speaking of spots, you might see two girls lying in a sunny spot in the garden at nap time (anytime). If you can’t see it, take a closer look. They may be burrowing in their hay beds, another favorite nap spot.
Photo: Ryan Hawke/Woodland Park Zoo |
That snoot!Photo: Lindsay Wesselmann/Woodland Park Zoo |
Burak, Magdura and Guapa all love attending training sessions with their keepers. These sessions are completely voluntary, use positive reinforcement, and the training allows you to participate in your own health care. For example, they lie down for nail clipping (done using a Dremel) and are even trained to voluntarily participate in some of the checkups. Of course, training always comes with a special reward. One of their favorite him is Blueberry Cheerio. Nom Nom!
did you know:
- The average lifespan for Visayaybo pigs in the wild is 10 to 15 years, but in human care it is not uncommon to live 20 years or more.
- Pigs do not sweat, so they need to cool themselves in mud or water.
- Males of this species and many wild pigs, pigs and boars develop sharp fangs as they grow, which are actually modified canine teeth.
- All wild pigs have straight tails.Curly hair is a household feature