Babirusa :: Saint Louis Zoo Saint Louis Zoo swamps and forests around rivers and lakes Scientific Name Threatened Setting the Standard for Bizarre On the small tropical Indonesian island of Sulawesi (formerly Celebes) and at the Saint Louis Zoo, the babirusa sets the standard for bizarre. To see this small, sparsely-haired pig is to realize this immediately. The babirusa is not just another pretty face-but it is an unforgettable one! In 1990, the Saint Louis Zoo acquired a pair of these elusive forest-dwellers through a complex cooperative loan program. A two-and-a-half year old male born at the Bronx Zoo was traded to the Los Angeles Zoo but flown to St. Louis on breeding loan. Los Angeles then sent a replacement male to the Bronx Zoo. An unrelated female babirusa was then selected from the Los Angeles Zoo herd to pair with the new St. Louis resident. The net result was a breeding pair of babirusa owned by the Los Angeles Zoo but managed by the Saint Louis Zoo. Since this time, the Saint Louis Zoo has raised five litters of nine piglets.

Little is known about the natural history of the babirusa due to the difficulty of observing it in its thick jungle habitat. This shy pig lives in groups of five to fifteen animals in swamps and forests along rivers and lakes. The babirusa's coloration, torpedo-shaped body and deer-like movements enable it to melt silently into surrounding cover at the slightest disturbance. About That face The most striking feature of a babirusa is its face. Besides being armed with a pair of slashing lower tusks, an impressive pair of upper tusks erupt through the top of the snout and curve back toward the eyes. These upper canines resemble antlers more than they do tusks. Not surprisingly, the translation of "babi-rusa" is "pig-deer." There has been much debate over the purpose of the upper tusks on males. Sulawesi natives are convinced that these tusks hook over low-hanging branches to support the babirusa's head as it rests. A more plausible explanation was proposed by John McKinnon in 1981. His studies suggest that males developed this extraordinary set of upper tusks to protect the eyes and throat from the slashing lower tusks of competing males.

This alternative use of the tusks was made possible by the fact that when the babirusa's ancestors arrived on Sulawesi they faced a predator-free environment. Without strong selection pressure to develop and maintain anti-predator mechanisms, the tusks were suddenly "free" to be modified for other uses. The greatest physical threat to the ancestral babirusa boars was no longer predation, but competition. Rival boars armed with dagger-like tusks and surly dispositions posed a serious hazard to the average babirusa boar come-a'courtin. Like all other pig species, babirusa practice a social system in which males fight with other males over the right to breed several females. Violent struggles can occur involving the use of the sharp lower tusks. The frequency of these conflicts, and the inherent risk of serious injury, probably increased dramatically when the babirusa's ancestors first arrived from the mainland to this small, isolated island. This created a new selection measure that favored the development of mechanisms to reduce the risk of injury during the ritual combat between males. The result of this selection pressure was the modification of the babirusa boars' upper tusks.

Instead of curving down like other pigs' tusks, they grew straight up through the snout, curving into a spiral that is ideal for catching and deflecting potential blows. Their placement at the top of the snout gives them added protection to the vulnerable eyes. These tusks have evolved to such a degree that boars seem to sprout veritable arsenals! It should be noted that babirusa females have remarkably reduced tusks relative to those of other suid females. This is probably a direct consequence of the lack of predators on the island, coupled with the fact that, in general, sows do not compete with each other in the way that boars do. About Its Family Tree While some paleontologic evidence suggests that babirusa may be more closely related to hippos and peccaries than to true pigs, the species is currently classified as a suid (a member of the pig family). It is different enough, however, to warrant its own sub-family: Babyrusinae. Most of these differences can be traced to the babirusa's ancient origins. A primitive European pig, extinct for about 35 million years, is its closest relative.

The babirusa is one of about a dozen species of wild pigs scattered across Africa, Europe, Asia and the surrounding islands. By introduction, wild boar and feral swine have been established in North and South America as well as Australia -- often with disastrous results. The snout, typical of wild pigs, allows these animals to rapidly turn over leaf litter and top soil, in search of dietary staples such as roots, grubs and tender new vegetation. Environmentalists in some of these regions refer to these introduced pests as "living rototillers" because of the damage they cause to fragile forest ecosystems unsuitable for sustaining wild pig populations. The Case for Babirusa As a rule, the pig family represents a unique evolutionary direction for the ungulates (hoofed mammals). Pigs are the only ungulates that build nests and give birth to litters. In general, offspring are striped at birth and are much more altricial (dependent on parental care) than other ungulate offspring. Suids have very simple gastro-intestinal tracts compared to other hoofed mammals, and therefore tend to select diets of low-fiber, nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, seeds, shoots, roots and even carrion.

Babirusa are the exception to many of these "pig rules." Their litter size is generally small; usually only numbering one to three unstriped offspring per litter. This reduced reproductive rate is thought to be a direct result of this species' predator-free environment. Babirusa piglets are somewhat more precocial than those of other suids: typically they wander from the nest and sample solid foods by ten days of age. Babirusa also have a more complex two-chambered stomach, an indication that a species is capable of digesting fiber through the use of microbial fermentation similar to cattle, goats and sheep. Further, unlike other pig species, they have little or no hair on their drab brown bodies. These animals are declining in the wild due to habitat destruction and over-hunting. In 1978, a population survey estimated that fewer than 4,000 babirusa remained on Sulawesi, the nearby Togian Islands, Sula and Buru.

In 1989, the Pigs and Peccaries Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), rated the babirusa as the Asian pig species in greatest need of immediate conservation measures. Part of that conservation program includes an ex situ propagation effort to sustain a safety-net population in zoos in case the wild population continues to decline or goes extinct. The Saint Louis Zoo feels it can make a meaningful contribution to this effort.

Babyrousa babyrussa (Babiroussa, Babirusa, Buru Babirusa, Deer Hog, Golden Babirusa, Hairy Babirusa, Moluccan Babirusa) Home » Babyrousa babyrussa (Babiroussa, Babirusa, Buru Babirusa, Deer Hog, Golden Babirusa, Hairy Babirusa, Moluccan Babirusa) Babyrousa babyrussa Hairy Babirusa, Deer Hog, Buru Babirusa, Babirusa, Golden Babirusa, Babiroussa, Moluccan Babirusa Synonym(s): Babyrousa babirousa (Linneaus, 1758) [orth. error] Babyrousa babirusa (Linneaus, 1758) [orth. error] Babyrousa babirussa (Linneaus, 1758) [orth. error] Babyrousa babyrussa ssp.

babyrussa (Linnaeus, 1758) Babyrousa frosti (Thomas, 1920) Babyrousa quadricornus Perry, 1811 Sus babyrussa Linneaus, 1758 Taxonomic Notes: Groves (2001) and Meijaard and Groves (2002a, b) proposed to upgrade the three extant subspecies of Babyrousa to species level: B. celebensis from northern Sulawesi; B. togeanensis from the Togian islands; and B. babyrussa from Buru and the Sula Islands. A single skull from central Sulawesi may or may not represent the species known otherwise only as a subfossil from the southern peninsula, B. bolabatuensis. The taxonomic identity of the individuals from central, eastern and southeastern Sulawesi was left undecided. Until further studies have brought clarity all individuals occurring on Sulawesi, Muna, Buton and Lembeh are treated as Babyrousa celebensis.

Preliminary investigations hint at a possible closer affinity of central Sulawesi individuals with Babyrousa babyrussa, but further anatomical as well as genetic studies are necessary and are being conducted to confirm or refute this. Macdonald, A.A., Burton, J. & Leus, K. Reviewer(s): Leus, K. & Oliver, W. ( Pig, Peccary & Hippo Red List Authority) Justification: Listed as Vulnerable as the species has a restricted distribution (extent of occurrence less than 20,000 km²), limited to two of the Sula Islands and Buru. Moreover this species has declined in the past largely because of habitat loss through logging and conversion, and to some extent through hunting by non-muslim communities. At least some level of decline in habitat quality and number of mature individuals can be expected to continue. Previously published Red List assessments: 1996 – Vulnerable (VU) Geographic Range [top] Range Description: >B. babyrussa occurs on two of the Sula Islands (Mangole and Taliabu) and on Buru (Macdonald, 1993) in Indonesia.

The species is reported to be extinct on Sulabesi (formerly Sanana) (Sol unpublished, 1986). Countries occurrence: Population [top] Population: The current population status of B. babyrussa is unknown. Although the forests in the northern portions of Buru have been degraded and cleared in the coastal lowlands, two large, contiguous, remaining forest blocks remain and current threats to the forest appear low (Wikramanayake et al., 2001). Most of Taliabu, the largest of the Sula Islands, is still forested, but there has been large-scale logging in the lowlands. Mangole, the other Sula island with babirusa, has been heavily degraded (Wikramanayake et al., 2001). Babirusa continue to be hunted for meat by local non-muslim village communities in some areas. Current Population Trend: Habitat and Ecology [top] Habitat and Ecology: Little is known about the habitat and ecology of the B. babyrussa specifically, but it is assumed that this is very similar than that of B. celebensis.

Babirusa inhabit tropical rain forest on the banks of rivers and ponds abounding in water plants. In common with most of the other suids, babirusa are omnivorous and both wild and captive individuals consume a wide variety of leaf, root, fruit and animal matter (invertebrates and small vertebrates). At least on Sulawesi they visit volcanic salt licks and drink the water and ingest the soil (Clayton, 1996; Leus et al., 2002), so this might also be the case with B. babyrussa. Although detailed studies of their diet in the wild still need to be carried out, a review of the available information from the wild combined with studies on the stomachs and digestive abilities of captive animals suggest that from an anatomical/digestive point of view, they are most likely non-ruminant forestomach fermenting frugivores/concentrate selectors (Leus et al., 2004). Their jaws and teeth are reported to be strong enough to crack very hard nuts with ease. However, babirusa do not exhibit the rooting behaviour typical of other suids because of the absence of a rostral bone in the nose.

They will probe soft sand as well as wet, muddy places for food. Specific data are lacking for B. babyrussa, but in northern Sulawesi groups or troops of up to 13 individuals of B. celebensis have been observed in rainforest, especially around water, communal wallowing areas and salt licks (Patry et al., 1995; Clayton, 1996). Older adult males were often observed singly and most groups were composed of five or fewer animals, the majority of which were females with young animals. Systems: Threats [top] Major Threat(s): Large-scale commercial logging operations have posed a major threat to this species (Smiet 1982). Current threats to the remaining Buru rainforests are low and the conservation outlook is relatively stable, but remains vulnerable - commercial logging and shifting cultivation are the primary threats (Wikramanayake et al., 2001). Babirusa continue to be hunted for meat in some places by local non-Muslim village communities.

Conservation Actions [top] Conservation Actions: The babirusa was accorded full protection under Indonesian law in 1931 (Dammerman, 1950; Setyodirwiryo, 1959). The species has been included on Appendix I of CITES since 1982, although international trade in this species is not thought to be have been an important issue in recent times (Macdonald 1993). There are two protected areas in the remaining Buru rainforest, Gunung Kelpat Muda (1380 km²) and Waeapo (50 km²), and one on Taliabu, Pulau Taliabu (700 km²) (Wikramanayake et al., 2001). Gunung Kelpat Muda, to the west-central part of the island. has the additional advantage of continuing to be an animal sanctuary according to local custom (Macdonald unpublished, 2008). Citation: Macdonald, A.A., Burton, J. & Leus, K. 2008. Babyrousa babyrussa.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T2461A9441445. . Downloaded on 19 January 2017. Disclaimer: Babirusa (Babirousa babyrussa) Babirousa babyrussa Also Called: pig-deer The babirusa is a creature that looks a lot like a pig, but some scientists think it may actually be related to the hippopotamus. Its most noticable feature is its hooked tusks, which are overgrown canine teeth, and really function more like the antlers on a deer, but they are brittle and can break off easily. It is these tusks that give the babirusa its name, which means "pig-deer". The skin or hide of the babirusa is mostly hairless and can range in color from brown to gray, with lighter shades on its undersides and belly. With this coloration it's easy for the babirusa to blend into the forest's underbrush. What few hairs it has on its hide are yellowish, white, or gray in color.

The babirusa's body is roundish and sort of torpedo-shaped, and its legs are long and thin. Its tail is thin and about a foot long. The upper tusks or canines in the males, or boars, stick out through the upper part of the snout and curve upwards and back towards the head. The lower tusks stick out of the lower jaw and grow up and back as well, but not to the degree that the upper tusks do. Both sets of tusks give the male babirusa a very odd and threatening appearance. They will sharpen the lower tusks by rubbing them on trees. The tusks of the females, or sows, are not as long or as large. Babirusa are omnivores , which means they eat mostly fruit, leaves, or grasses, but will also eat fungi, nuts, insect larvae, or sometimes even small animals (like rodents or small birds) or more rarely carrion (meat of dead animals). The bairusa can be found in the tropical forests and canebreaks and on the shores of the rivers and lakes of Indonesia. However it is a nearly endangered species.

The babirusa doesn't have many enemies, other than wild dogs and humans. Unfortunately they are hunted by man for their meat, in spite of the fact that they are a protected species. Due to that fact and the increased loss of places for them to live, there are only a few thousand babirusa left in the wild. Because it's a shy and reclusive species, there isn't a lot known about the babirusa. During the day they will wallow in mud, which helps to rid them of insects and parasites on their hides. They also like to swim, and are very good at it. At night they forage for food and graze on grasses. They usually live together in small groups of several adult females and their young, although sometimes the group may have as many as 15 in it. Males usually live on their own once they are mature. Unlike other pig species, the babirusa has only 1 to 3 babies in each litter. During mating season the males, or boars, will fight one another, often standing on their hind legs to "box" one another and try to break their opponent's tusks. In the early part of the year, the baby babirusa are born.

The females will make a nest of underbrush and grasses, where she gives birth to her small litter. The babies will nurse for 6 to 8 months but also start to become more active and will start to forage with the group and eat solid food within 3 to 10 days. The young babirusa become mature at 1-2 years. Babirusa rely most on their senses of smell and hearing, both of which are excellent. They mainly communicate with low grunts or moans, and by clattering their teeth when excited. Related Products Zutrition Babirusa Nutrition Guide Omnivorous Behaviour Babirusa live in groups of one or a few adult females and their young while the adult males are solitary. They spend much of the day in mud wallows, rubbing off the dried mud and skin parasites on trees afterwards. Reproduction The males stand on their hind legs and ‘box’, presumably trying to break their opponent’s tusks. 125-150 days after mating the females produce a very small litter of only 1-2 piglets, born in a nest of underbrush. She has only one pair of teats from which to feed them.

Conservation status The babirusa is listed as Vulnerable, following increased hunting and habitat loss over the last 20 years or more. Despite protection, illegal poaching continues and only a few thousand individuals are left. The babirusa is a non-ruminant forestomach fermenting frugivore/concentrate selector specialized in the fermentation of more easily digestible fibers and other cell components The lack of quantitative information does not allow much more to be said than that babirusa appear to show a preference for fruits and seeds but that they also consume a variety of leaves, grasses, fungi, invertebrates and small vertebrates, and garden products. The domestic pig should be considered the dietary model for this species. However, diets designed solely for commercial swine production are unsuitable considering: Babirusa is an unimproved breed with a slower growth rate and a smaller mature body size. Babirusa appear to browse more and root less and thus may be consuming a diet of lower nutrient density compared to other pigs. Babirusa also have a unique stomach structure containing large microbial population. Babirusa are prone to obesity in captivity [1].

BODY WEIGHT Recommended body weights for babirusa: adult male babirusa: ~ 90 kg adult female babirusa: ~6O kg WHAT TO FEED [1] Information on the diet of wild babirusa is largely descriptive and qualitative in nature. The lack of quantitative information does not allow much more to be said than that babirusa appear to show a preference for fruits and seeds but that they also consume a variety of leaves, grasses, fungi, invertebrates and small vertebrates, and garden products. Very few wild food items of the babirusa are mentioned by name in the older literature: leaves of the “waringi” tree (most likely a fig species (Ficus sp.)), “canari” seeds (almond-like seeds of the fruits produced by trees of the genus Canarium) (Valentijn, 1726), Elatostema sp.

(a non-stinging member of the nettle family Urticaceae), acorns (Lithocarpus sp.) (Selmier, 1978, 1983), “pangi” (Pangium edule – a large fruit of the family Flacourtiaceae) (Whitten et al., 1987). Among the garden products consumed were mentioned: coconuts Calarnus sp. (Palmaceae) Alpinia sp. (Zingiberaceae) (Clayton, 1996). Babirusa in the wild visit volcanic salt licks to drink large quantities of the salty water, to lick the stones and to ingest the soil (Patry et al., 1995; Clayton, 1996)….Results from these two studies indicate that the soil from these salt licks appears to contain higher quantities of Iron, Sodium, Zinc and Manganese than the surrounding soil and that the water contains higher quantities of particularly Chloride, SO4, Boron, Sodium and Calcium.

This may well imply that babirusa have very specific mineral requirements or that their largely frugivorous diet is lacking in one or more components. Indeed soil and stones were common in the stomachs investigated by Clayton (1996). In the study by Conklin and Dierenfeld (1994), the babirusa showed a dry matter intake of 1.2% of their body mass. The wet weight intake was about 2.3% of body weight. The average wet weight offered to the babirusa as a percentage of body weight (average of 4%) was almost twice the intake observed by Conklin and Dierenfeld (1994). Considering the wide variation in amounts offered, babirusa holders should consider it a priority to determine how much of the offered food the pigs are actually consuming! FEEDING RECOMMENDATION [1] Recommended Diet: approximately 1/4 swine maintenance pellets or high fiber herbivore pellets 3/4 “produce/browse” composed of 1/4 fruit (maximum), 1/4 yellow/orange/root vegetables, 1/4 green leafy vegetables and 1/4 locally available browse.

complete pellets are preferred to mixes of whole grains produce should be fed raw and with peels and/or stones total amount offered per day should equal no more than 2.5% of body mass on an as fed basis crude protein concentration of dietary DM is calculated to be approximately 13% and digestible energy approximately 13 MJ/kg vitamin and mineral requirements of the babirusa diet should meet the standards for domestic swine a small amount of pelleted concentrate diluted with various produce items is suggested to promote natural feeding behaviors, provide bulk and reduce calorie density WATER [1] In order to prevent soiling of the drinking water it is recommended to have automatic drink nipples/pressure pads in the stables. These should be placed as close as possible to a drain so that spillage of water during drinking does not wet the rest of the stable and the bedding. WHEN TO FEED [1] A foraging babirusa typically walks around with the nose to the ground or probing through the leaf litter while, slowly, bit by bit, picking up food items that it comes across. Foraging is therefore likely to occupy a significant proportion of the wild babirusa’s day. To duplicate this activity level, feeding in captivity should be spread throughout the day.

For example, animals could be fed about 30% of the diet in the morning, 20% (scatter feeding and browse) throughout the day and 50% in the afternoon. Feeding not too much in the morning will hopefully still result in babirusa willing to forage for scatter food rather than to snooze. However, feeding nutrient-rich items during the night may result in more obesity because of less activity during the night time hours In order to have sufficient control over the intake of individual animals, and because males tend to monopolise the food when fed in the company of females, food items requiring more precise dosage such as vitamin and mineral supplements and nutrient-rich items such as commercial pellets, starchy fruit and vegetables, larger quantities of nuts and seeds etc., should be offered individually, for example during the morning and or evening meals.

the ration should be spread rather evenly throughout the day, for example 30% in the morning, 20% scatter-fed and 50% in the evening HOW TO ENCOURAGE NATURAL BEHAVIORS [1] Babirusa in captivity appear unable to root in compact ground and only appear to turn over loose soil or wet mud (Leus et al., 1992; Leus and Vercarnrnen, 1996). The foraging behavior of the babirusa mainly consists of walking around with the nose close to the ground while probing through the loose soil and leaf litter (Leus and Vercammen, 1996). Captive babirusa in a semi-natural enclosure showed the ability to very carefully select and obtain certain plants and plant parts such as individual flower buds, grass ears, bramble leaves, cherry fruits, etc. (Leus and Vercammen, 1996). Valentijn (1726) writes that wild babirusa stand on their hind legs while leaning against a tree to “sample the smells of approaching enemies”. An equally likely explanation for this behavior is that the animals are foraging for fruits or leaves on trees.

In fact, babirusa in captivity have frequently been observed browsing leaves on trees while standing on their hind legs unsupported or with their front legs leaning against the tree trunks or uprights in their enclosure (e.g. Macdonald and Leus, 1995). A small amount of pelleted concentrate diluted with various produce items is suggested to promote natural feeding behaviors, provide bulk and reduce calorie density References: Babyrousa celebensis (North Sulawesi Babirusa, Sulawesi Babirusa) Geographic Range [top] Range Description: Babyrousa celebensis is endemic to Indonesia, and, as defined here, occurs widely on Sulawesi, with the exception of the southwestern peninsula where the form bolabatuensis is known from subfossials (Hooijer 1950). It is also known from offshore islands, including Muna, Buton and Lembeh.

On the northern peninsula of Sulawesi, they have disappeared from the most northereastern section and their distribution may now be largely limited to the western end of the Bogani Nani-Wartabone National Park, the Nantu Wildlife Reserve, the Panua Nature Reserve, the western area of the remaining forests in Randangan (Pahuwato Regency of Gorontalo Province) and in the Buol Toli-Toli region; all in the western half of the peninsula (Riley 2002, DKKH 2015). The Babirusa still occurs in central Sulawesi and the eastern and southeastern peninsula, although precise information regarding the current extent of occurrence and area of occupancy is lacking (Macdonald 1993, Alvard 2000, Burton 2002, Riley 2002, Wiles et al. 2002). The species is unlikely to still occur on the severely deforested southern island of Muna. On Buton the species was not found during recent mammal surveys (Meijaard and Groves 2002b, Wiles et al.

2002) and no Babirusa skulls were found during a recent visit to the island in search of anoa skulls (J. Burton pers. comm.). Its continued presence on the island of Lembeh is also uncertain. Countries occurrence: Habitat and Ecology [top] Habitat and Ecology: The Sulawesi Babirusa inhabits tropical rain forest on the banks of rivers and ponds abounding in water plants. Whereas in the past the animal has tended to occur in low lying areas near coasts, recent anecdotal and survey reports indicate that it is now confined mostly to the interior, on higher and less accessible ground (Riley 2002). In common with most of the other suids, Babirusa are omnivorous and both wild and captive individuals consume a wide variety of leaf, root, fruit and animal matter (invertebrates and small vertebrates). They visit volcanic salt licks and drink the water and ingest the soil (Clayton 1996, Leus et al. 2002).

Although detailed studies of their diet in the wild still need to be carried out, a review of the available information from the wild combined with studies on the stomachs and digestive abilities of captive animals suggest that from an anatomical/digestive point of view, they are most likely non-ruminant forestomach fermenting frugivores/concentrate selectors (Leus et al. 2004). Their jaws and teeth are reported to be strong enough to crack very hard nuts with ease. However, Babirusa do not exhibit the rooting behaviour typical of other suids because of the absence of a prominent rostral bone in the nose (Macdonald 2016). They will probe soft sand as well as wet, muddy places for food. In northern Sulawesi groups or troops of up to 13 individuals have been observed in rainforest, especially around water, communal wallowing areas and salt licks (Patry et al. 1995, Clayton 1996). Older adult males were often observed singly and most groups were composed of five or fewer animals, the majority of which were females with young animals.

Systems: Use and Trade [top] Use and Trade: Babirusa are hunted for food to supply the Christian markets in North Sulawesi (Blouch 1990, Burton 2002, Milner-Gulland and Clayton 2002, Lee et al. 2005). As the species becomes rare or absent from eastern sections of the northern peninsula, hunting is moving to the west and centre. For example, babirusa from the area to the north of Palu and from Lore Lindu National Park (although the species now appears severely depleted in the latter) are being hunted and sold to traders from North Sulawesi (Burton 2002). The species is also increasingly threatened by commercial logging, and by the spread of other land-uses resulting in forest conversion and degradation (MacDonald 1993, Riley 2002). Total lowland forest loss on the island is estimated to be likely more than 75% (Riley 2002). An additional threat is present in the form of prospective iron ore mining, particularly in the northwestern part of the northern peninsula.

The natural dry zone in the northwest of central Sulawesi is probably prone to further drying as a result of climate change. Details are sparse, but reduction in tree cover and fruiting would result. In southeast Sulawesi there has been an expansion of cultivated areas for commercial tree-fruit crops. Babirusa in the forest are being caught in traps set for anoa; they are killed and left to rot in the forest as the local muslim hunters view them as vermin contaminating their traps (Macdonald 2016). In the more coastal areas, some babirusa are being deliberately trapped to supply teeth to the Bali mask-making trade (Macdonald 2016). Villages of Balinese people around the coast are also stimulating the ‘pig-meat’ trade. Throughout the island human population expansion continues, with towns expanding and restaurants increasing in number and servicing a wider range of non-muslim tastes. Threats [top] Major Threat(s): Babirusa are hunted for food to supply the Christian markets in North Sulawesi (Blouch 1990, Burton 2002, Milner-Gulland and Clayton 2002, Lee et al.

2005). As the species becomes rare or absent from eastern sections of the northern peninsula, hunting is moving to the west and centre. For example, Babirusa from the area to the north of Palu and from Lore Lindu National Park (although the species now appears severely depleted in the latter) are being hunted and sold to traders from North Sulawesi (Burton 2002). The species is also increasingly threatened by commercial logging, and by the spread of other land-uses resulting in forest conversion and degradation (MacDonald 1993, Riley 2002). Total lowland forest loss on the island is estimated to be likely more than 75% (Riley 2002). An additional threat is present in the form of prospective iron ore mining, particularly in the northwestern part of the northern peninsula. The natural dry zone in the northwest of central Sulawesi is probably prone to further drying as a result of climate change. Details are sparse, but reduction in tree cover and fruiting would result. In southeast Sulawesi there has been an expansion of cultivated areas for commercial tree-fruit crops.

Babirusa in the forest are being caught in traps set for anoa; they are killed and left to rot in the forest as the local muslim hunters view them as vermin contaminating their traps (Macdonald 2016). In the more coastal areas, some Babirusas are being deliberately trapped to supply teeth to the Bali mask-making trade (Macdonald 2016). Villages of Balinese people around the coast are also stimulating the ‘pig-meat’ trade. Throughout the island human population expansion continues, with towns expanding and restaurants increasing in number and servicing a wider range of non-muslim tastes. Conservation Actions [top] Conservation Actions: The babirusa was accorded full protection under Indonesian law since 1931 (Dammerman 1950, Setyodirwiryo 1959). It is currently protected by Indonesian law Act No. 5/1990 Conservation of Living Resources and Their Ecosystems, Undang-un dang Republik Indonesia Nomor 5 Tahun 1990 Tentang Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Hayati Dan Ekosistemnya).

In 2013, the Indonesian government released a taxon-specific conservation strategy and action plan (Strategi Dan Rencana Aksi Konservasi Babirusa Tahun 2013-2022) (DKKH 2015). The national action plan identifies 11 priority conservation sites for babirusa on Sulawesi (Bogani Nani Wartabone Connected Area, Sojol-Nantu Mountain Connnected area, West and East Coast of the narrow portion connecting North and Central Sulawesi, Lore Lindu Connected Area, Morowali, Bakiriang Connected Area, Lombuyan, Latimojong Mountains, Takolekaju Mountains, Verbek Mountains, and the Tangkeleboke-Abuki-Mataromba Mountain Connected Area (DKKH 2015). The species has been included on Appendix I of CITES since 1982, although international trade in this species is not thought to be have been an important issue in recent times (Macdonald 1993). The species occurs in several protected areas of various levels on Sulawesi (e.g.

western area of the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, the Nantu Wildlife Reserve , Lore Lindu National Park, Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park, the Panua Nature Reserve, Morowali Nature Reserve and others (Macdonald 1993, Alvard 2000, Riley 2002, Wiles et al. 2002, DKKH 2015, - accessed 5 June 2008). The species often remains under hunting pressure even in protected areas. There is an international studbook for the world captive population of babirusa maintained by Opel Zoo (Germany). The world captive population counts 190 individuals in 34 institutions (Kauffels pers. com.).

In 2014 an MOU was signed by representatives of the Indonesian Zoo Association (PKBSI), the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC), the IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group, and the IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group (witnessed by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry) agreeing to apply for the development of a Global Species Management Plan (GSMP) for Babyrousa sp. (administered by the Wold Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AAZA)) and jointly planning how the ex situ population and community can best contribute to the conservation of this taxon within the framework of the Indonesian National Action Plan. The GSMP planning meeting took place in January 2016. Citation: Leus, K., Macdonald, A., Burton, J. & Rejeki, I. 2016. Babyrousa celebensis.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T136446A44142964. . Downloaded on 18 January 2017. Disclaimer: 2. Babirusa | Animal Planet Top 10 Animal Fashion Disasters 9 / 10 Babirusa Frank Greenaway/Getty Images You know you're in trouble in the looks department if your nickname is "pig-deer." Native to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the babirusa looks a bit like something out of Where the Wild Things Are, with its canine teeth growing straight through the roof of its mouth. Not only is this unsightly to look at, but also a danger to its survival; if the teeth continue to grow, they can curve back and lodge into the babirusa's brain. Now that's a migraine! HELLO VU - Sulawesi Babirusa - Wild Pig Specialist Group Wild Pig Specialist Group Pop. trend: decreasing Taxonomy. Babyrousa celebensis Deniger, 1910, Sulawesi.

Phylogenetic studies suggest that babirusas diverged from other pigs in the Miocene, approximate between 10 and 19 million years ago, which could well be the time when they became first isolated on Sulawesi. Considering that the land connection between southern Sulawesi and Borneo was severed some 50 Mya, this suggests that a later land connection existed between Sundaland and Sulawesi, unless babirusas dispersed through rafting or swimming. The presence of two more genera of suids in Sulawesi (Celebochoerus and Sus), which must have split off from the main stock of Suidae at different times, is indicative of several invasions of ancestral suid types to Sulawesi over a great length of time. The genus is monotypic within the subfamily Babyrousinae, or alternatively considered to form a tribe, Babyrousini, of the subfamily Suinae. All members of this genus were considered part of a single species, Babyrousa babyrussa, until recently, but following the split into several species, the nominate scientific name is now restricted to the Moluccan Babirusa from Buru and the Sula Islands. B.

celebensis, the Sulawesi Babirusa, is the best-known babirusa, and the only species for which substantive ecological and behavioral information is available. Distribution ( see map ). B. celebensis occurs on the island of Sulawesi. The name specifically refers to animals from the north of the island, and the taxonomic identity of the individuals from central, eastern and southeastern Sulawesi remains undecided. We here follow the IUCN Red List and treat all individuals occurring on Sulawesi, as well as those previously known from the Muna, Buton and Lembeh Islands as belonging to B. celebensis, pending resolution of the taxonomy. B. celebensis has been much reduced on the northern peninsula of Sulawesi, primarily due to over-hunting, and their distribution may now be largely limited to the western end of the Bogani Nani-Wartabone National Park, the Nantu Wildlife Reserve and the Panua Nature Reserve; all in the western half of the northern peninsula. The species still occurs in central Sulawesi and the eastern and southeastern peninsula, although precise information regarding the current extent of occurrence and area of occupancy is lacking.

The species is unlikely to still occur on the severely deforested southern island of Muna, where the species used to occur. On Buton the species was not found during recent mammal surveys, and its continued presence on the island of Lembeh is also uncertain. Descriptive notes. Head-body 85–110 cm; shoulder height 65–60 cm; weight up to 100 kg. B. celebensis is characterized by its sparse or absent body hair, a nearly hairless tail tuft, and long, relatively thick upper canines that emerge vertically, converge slightly and curl dorsally in a circle. The upper canines of males are generally long and thick, with the upper canines merging vertically and not crossing the lower canines in lateral view. The skulls of B. celebensis are longer than the two other species. They are relatively narrowed than one specimen from central Sulawesi, for which the taxonomic status remains unresolved as pointed out above. The lower (M1 and M3) and upper (M2 and M3) molars in B. celebensis are longer than in the other two species.

Unlike most other pig species, babirusas do not have the typical adaptations for rooting. The nose of babirusas lacks the rostral bone that in other pigs provides support for the tough connective tissue plate of the rhinarium. Re-analyses of the soft tissue anatomy of the limbs and digestive tract of B. celebensis have revealed mistakes of identification in earlier work and the results have reversed the earlier suggestion that the babirusa was constructed in a significantly different way from the pig (Sus spp.); in general the muscular anatomies of the two species are very similar and the stomach of the babirusa does not resemble that of the ruminant. Habitat. B. celebensis inhabits tropical rain forest. Whereas previously the animal had been reported to occur in low lying areas near coasts, recent anecdotal and survey reports indicate that the species is now confined mostly to the interior, on higher and less accessible ground. Although often associated with swamp and riverine areas, there is still insufficient data to be conclusive on the aquatic affinities of the species. The species frequently uses mineral salt-licks. Food and Feeding. Diet and feeding behavior in B.

celebensis remain poorly studied in the wild, but observations on captive animals provide a useful picture of their potential diet. The anatomical structure of the stomach and digestive tract suggest that B. celebensis is omnivorous. In zoos, adults of this species have been observed to chase, catch and eat small mammals and birds implying that they may show similar behavior in the wild. Observations of both wild and captive individuals suggest that species consumes a wide variety of leaf, root, and fruit material, with fruit supposedly being specifically important. Their jaws and teeth are strong enough to crack very hard nuts with ease. Not unlike the Bornean Bearded Pig, Sus b. barbatus, B. celebensis' apparent requirement for fruit-bearing trees as a component part of their environment has been implied, because as soon as mature trees were cleared by forestry operations or conversion to food crop production, the babirusas were no longer to be found in the area. Whether this is a result of changes in food resources or increased hunting pressure and disturbance from logging crews has not yet been clarified. S. celebensis forages for food items on the ground, under logs and stones, in wet areas and on bushes and trees.

Animals will stand with their forelimbs against tree trunks to reach hanging leaves and fruit, and will even stand on their hind limbs to pluck leaves from the trees. Activity patterns. Based on observations on captive animals, B. celebensis appears to be mostly diurnal. These animals slept at night, which is consistent with the general lack of activity at night recorded in North Sulawesi. About an hour before sunrise at 6.00 individuals began to wake up and move about. Voiding of faecal material and urine occurs at this time, and animals appeared to prefer to defecate under branches and fallen tree trunks. Foraging extended throughout the day, but occupied a larger proportion of the time in the morning. From about mid-morning onwards an increasing proportion of the time was taken up with non-foraging activities. The animals were either wallowing or lying down. Both in the wild and in captivity, males have been observed to wallow more often than females. Movements, Home range and Social organization. The information available from field and captive studies indicates B. celebensis is a social species.

Groups of up to 13 have been observed in the rainforest, especially around water, communal wallowing areas and salt licks. Rarely aggregations as large as 46 individuals comprising several distinct groups have congregated at salt licks. Most (i.e. 84%) of all sightings of solitary animals were of adult males. Single adult males were seen with single adult females, but never with two or more females unless young animals were present. Adult females were rarely seen without company; they were sometimes found together with other adult animals, but most often they were with young babirusa. Groups containing adult females and young numbered 84 (of the 226 groups studied), of which two thirds (56 groups) had no adult males present. Very little is known about the ranging behavior of B. celebensis. Field observations suggest that the adult males have home ranges that overlap with those of a number of other adult males. Density estimates in two protected areas where the species still occurred in 2003 varied from 4.3–11.8 and 0.7–4.1 animals/km2. Like other pigs, babirusas evidently swim well.

A single adult male was reported approximately 500 m from the shore of a large lake in central Sulawesi, and even though it is not certain whether this is the same species as B. celebensis, it is likely that all babirusa species can swim and cover relatively large distances. Breeding. In zoological collections, B. celebensis may become sexually mature as early as five to ten months of age. However, it is likely that the age of sexual maturity in the wild is influenced by a number of factors including the level of nutrition. Precise data do not yet exist, but animals are unlikely to breed in the wild before they are one year old. Estrus cycle lengths of 28–42 days have been recorded but recent endocrine studies suggest it may lie between 35 and 37 days. Captive females generally re-cycle within 3 months after the birth of their young. Estrus lasts 2–3 days, and the female is not receptive to males at other times. Gestation length is usually 155–158 days, though up to 171 days has been reported. The body weight of the sow increases during gestation.

The normal litter size in B. celebensis is one or two uniformly brown colored piglets, but a low incidence of triplet births has been recorded both in zoos and in the wild, and a litter of four fetuses has been reported in utero in a wild female. Neonatal B. celebensis are small in size and weigh less than 800g at birth. There are usually four mammary glands, but an additional pair has sometimes been reported. Although the female can have a life span of as long as 24 years in captivity, it is unlikely that the animals in the wild live as long, perhaps no more than 7–12 years. In zoos, B. celebensis sows produce young at all times of the year, and may produce two litters within a 12 month period. However, since it seems likely that diet or seasonal factors would normally influence inter-birth intervals, litters may be produced less frequently in the wild. Observation in North Sulawesi revealed adult females accompanied by subadult animals as well as juveniles.

However, there was no observable criterion with which to establish whether or not these youngsters of two different ages represented the progeny of consecutive litters from the same adult female. Studies of the agonistic behavior of B. celebensis have so far revealed no evidence that the adult males normally use their teeth during male-male interactions. The ultimate form of agonistic behavior is described as “boxing”, and involves two males raising themselves off the ground until both are standing on their hind legs facing one another, leaning and paddling against the chest and shoulders of their opponent. Their snouts are held as high as possible. Females did not employ the same strategy. Status and Conservation. The species is listed as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Adult B. celebensis appear to have few, if any, natural predators. There are no large native mammalian carnivores on Sulawesi, and the most likely predator are probably large snakes and crocodiles. The small numbers of young born suggest that the species is not adapted to a high rate of natural predation.

Hunting by humans, however, with snares, nets, spears and dogs has undoubtedly been an important factor since prehistoric times, and widespread snare trapping constitutes the main threat to the remaining populations of B. celebensis in North Sulawesi and, more recently, elsewhere in Sulawesi. B. celebensis is apparently not hunted specifically for its own meat, but represents a by-catch to the hunting of the Sulawesi Warty Pig, Sus celebensis. Therefore, the population of B. celebensis in the wild is being placed under severe and increasing pressure by the market demand for wild pig meat. The species is also increasingly threatened by commercial logging, and by the spread of other land-uses resulting in forest conversion and degradation. Total lowland forest loss on the island is estimated to be likely more than 75%. The genus Babyrousa was accorded full protection under Indonesian law in 1931. Under its original taxonomic designation, B. babirussa, the species has been included on Appendix I of CITES since 1982, although international trade in this species is not thought to be have been an important issue. B.

celebensis occurs in several protected areas of various levels on Sulawesi (e.g. Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, Lore Lindu National Park, Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park, the Nantu Wildlife Reserve, the Panua Nature Reserve, Morowali Nature Reserve and others. As pointed out above, the taxonomic status of the central and southern Sulawesi animals remains unclear, and B. celebensis may therefore be much more restricted and highly endangered in northern Sulawesi. Text adapted from: Meijaard, E., J. P. d'Huart, and W. L. R. Oliver. 2011. Family Suidae (Pigs). Pages 248-291 in D. E. Wilson, and R. A. Mittermeier, editors. Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol 2. Hoofed Mammals. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Bibliography Andreescu, I. & D. Murariu. (1993).

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Question: A babirusa is a wild variety of which creature?
Answer: Pig