Pop Up: Babi Rusa
Babirusas (Babyrousa babirussa), or 'pig-deer' are wild pig with curly tusks that are endemic to Sulawesi and the surrounding Sula and Togian islands. This strange looking pig belongs to the Suidae (pig family) and is the only member of the Babyrousa genus. These subspecies have different hair covering, hair color, and tusk and body sizes. Fossil studies seem to show that the babirusa may be more closely related to hippopotamuses than pigs.
Males are characterized by large, upward curving tusks which can grow up to 30cm in length. The upper canines actually grow up through the skin of its snout from the inside. Then they grow up and curl over towards the forehead, sometimes touching the snout again. The lower canines are also very long and protrude from the sides. The two sets of tusks give the appearance of the antlers of a deer. The function of these tusks, which are absent or reduced in size in females, is unclear although they may be used in fighting (the bottom tusk). The top tusks can't be used for foraging or as weapons because they are very fragile and loose in their sockets. Because they curve upwards towards the head, they are not used for digging as in other pigs.
Babirusas are smaller than domestic pigs. They are 2.8-3.6 feet in length, and 2.1-2.6 feet at shoulder height. The tail is 8-12 inches long and not twisted. It weighs from 95-220 pounds. It has a rounded body with almost hairless, bristly skin. The sparse hairs are yellowish in color. Their skin is gray to brown, with a lighter colored under belly. Their legs are thin and longer than on most pigs. Mature babirusas have large folds near their necks and bellies.
Babirusas are confined to tropical rainforest, and are often found near rivers. Although they have been observed in captivity, not a lot is known about their behavior in the wild. They are omnivorous, eating mainly fruit and plant material but also insect larvae, fungi and small mammals. Adult males tend to be solitary, whereas females live in groups including several adults and their young. Like other pig species, they wallow in mud to remove skin parasites. Babirusas also exhibit 'ploughing' behavior whereby they push their snouts into the earth, which is believed to be involved scent marking.
Even though it has relatively long span of life (24 years), habitat loss and hunting for meat are the two primary threats facing babirusas. Given their small litter size (females typically give birth to one or two infants); populations are particularly vulnerable to hunting by humans. Although hunting babirusas is illegal, small numbers are still sold in local markets in North Sulawesi, especially for ceremonial reason. Worse, in the past babirusa were kept by rulers in Sulawesi and given as gifts to visiting diplomats.
At this moment, Babirusas are listed by the IUCN as a vulnerable species. They are also protected under Indonesian wildlife law, making it illegal to poach, kill or trade babirusas. However, there are only thought to be around 5000 individuals left following illegal hunting and habitat loss over the last few decades.
In 1998, a captive breeding program was initiated with the aim of capturing 40 wild babirusas. The capture process was carefully planned to protect wild populations and was to involve trained vetinarians. However, before the capture program had officially begun, hunters and commercial dealers were given the false impression that there was a demand for capturing live babirusas. This led to illegal capture of babirusas in protected areas in addition to the trade in babirusa meat. Fortunately the Indonesian government stopped the trade in live babirusas, preventing further damage. At present, babirusas in captivity are thought to be in-bred (i.e. not genetically diverse) and in general there are doubts whether captive breeding is a useful conservation measure.
Males are characterized by large, upward curving tusks which can grow up to 30cm in length. The upper canines actually grow up through the skin of its snout from the inside. Then they grow up and curl over towards the forehead, sometimes touching the snout again. The lower canines are also very long and protrude from the sides. The two sets of tusks give the appearance of the antlers of a deer. The function of these tusks, which are absent or reduced in size in females, is unclear although they may be used in fighting (the bottom tusk). The top tusks can't be used for foraging or as weapons because they are very fragile and loose in their sockets. Because they curve upwards towards the head, they are not used for digging as in other pigs.
Babirusas are smaller than domestic pigs. They are 2.8-3.6 feet in length, and 2.1-2.6 feet at shoulder height. The tail is 8-12 inches long and not twisted. It weighs from 95-220 pounds. It has a rounded body with almost hairless, bristly skin. The sparse hairs are yellowish in color. Their skin is gray to brown, with a lighter colored under belly. Their legs are thin and longer than on most pigs. Mature babirusas have large folds near their necks and bellies.
Babirusas are confined to tropical rainforest, and are often found near rivers. Although they have been observed in captivity, not a lot is known about their behavior in the wild. They are omnivorous, eating mainly fruit and plant material but also insect larvae, fungi and small mammals. Adult males tend to be solitary, whereas females live in groups including several adults and their young. Like other pig species, they wallow in mud to remove skin parasites. Babirusas also exhibit 'ploughing' behavior whereby they push their snouts into the earth, which is believed to be involved scent marking.
Even though it has relatively long span of life (24 years), habitat loss and hunting for meat are the two primary threats facing babirusas. Given their small litter size (females typically give birth to one or two infants); populations are particularly vulnerable to hunting by humans. Although hunting babirusas is illegal, small numbers are still sold in local markets in North Sulawesi, especially for ceremonial reason. Worse, in the past babirusa were kept by rulers in Sulawesi and given as gifts to visiting diplomats.
At this moment, Babirusas are listed by the IUCN as a vulnerable species. They are also protected under Indonesian wildlife law, making it illegal to poach, kill or trade babirusas. However, there are only thought to be around 5000 individuals left following illegal hunting and habitat loss over the last few decades.
In 1998, a captive breeding program was initiated with the aim of capturing 40 wild babirusas. The capture process was carefully planned to protect wild populations and was to involve trained vetinarians. However, before the capture program had officially begun, hunters and commercial dealers were given the false impression that there was a demand for capturing live babirusas. This led to illegal capture of babirusas in protected areas in addition to the trade in babirusa meat. Fortunately the Indonesian government stopped the trade in live babirusas, preventing further damage. At present, babirusas in captivity are thought to be in-bred (i.e. not genetically diverse) and in general there are doubts whether captive breeding is a useful conservation measure.
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on Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 4:27 AM.
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