By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Fifteen captive-bred pygmy hogs were successfully released into the Kuribeel grasslands of Manas National Park on June 7, marking another important milestone in the ongoing effort to restore one of the world’s most endangered mammals in the wild.
The latest reintroduction drive was undertaken under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) and included nine females and six males. The initiative returns the species to a habitat that once formed a key stronghold, where the last known capture of pygmy hogs took place in 1996 to begin a long-term conservation breeding programme.
This release represents the sixth phase of reintroduction in Manas since 2020. With this addition, the total number of pygmy hogs reintroduced in the park has reached 78. Conservation authorities have outlined plans to introduce around 80 more individuals over the next five years, with the objective of building a self-sustaining wild population of nearly 300 pygmy hogs by 2040.
Officials involved in the programme highlighted that the species had not been observed in the Kuribeel grasslands for close to nine years prior to this reintroduction. The return follows extensive habitat restoration efforts, including grassland recovery and protection measures carried out over several years through coordinated work between conservation organisations, the Assam Forest Department and local communities.
The pygmy hog (Porcula salvania), considered the smallest wild pig species in the world, was once believed to have disappeared entirely before being rediscovered in the 1970s. Despite its recovery in conservation breeding programmes, it remains highly threatened due to habitat loss, invasive plant growth and human pressures on grassland ecosystems.
Conservation experts and forest officials present during the release described the development as a positive step towards restoring degraded grassland habitats and improving biodiversity in Manas. They noted that such reintroductions play a crucial role in rebuilding ecological balance in protected landscapes.
The PHCP, a collaborative effort involving the Assam Forest Department, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group, Ecosystems-India and Aaranyak, has so far bred and released close to 200 pygmy hogs across Assam.
In Orang National Park, earlier reintroductions have already shown encouraging results, with a growing population now estimated at around 200 wild-born individuals.
Conservationists stressed that continued habitat management, long-term monitoring and community participation will be essential to ensure the survival and expansion of the species in its natural range.