Nine captive-bred pygmy hogs have been released into the wild in Manas National Park of Assam, India, by the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme, of which Durrell is a founding partner.
This release brings the number of hogs successfully bred and reintroduced by PHCP across four protected areas of Assam to 179.
The Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) has been working to bring this precious species back from the brink since 1996, with the reintroduction of captive-bred hogs to the wild starting in 2008. The pygmy hog was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the 1970s. It remains under significant threat from the loss of its grassland habitat due to invasive alien plant species, disease, and human disturbance.
“Not only is the pygmy hog one of the most endangered mammals in the world, but it also happens to be an indicator of the health of its habitat,” said Dr. Parag Jyoti Deka, PHCP Project Director at Durrell. “The grassland is home to several other threatened species, including the Bengal florican, hispid hare, and hog deer, and is used extensively by rhinos, elephants, and tigers. If pygmy hogs cannot survive there, you will also start to see the disappearance of these other species too.”
“This project also allows us to address the larger question about the conservation and management of one of India’s most biodiversity-rich habitats,” Dr Deka continued. “These wet grasslands help maintain the region’s long-term ecological and economic well-being, serving as a buffer against floods during rainy season, and maintaining high groundwater levels in the dry season. Pygmy hog and grassland conservation not only protects other unique and important species, but it also indirectly benefits the communities living around the park.”
Manas National Park contains some of the largest remaining grassland blocks in the sub-Himalayan grassland ecosystems. This was the fifth successful release in the park since 2020, taking the total number of hogs released in Manas to 63.
“The effort for reintroduction and restoring of the endangered pygmy hog in Manas National Park under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme is commendable,” stated Shri R. P. Singh, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of the Forest Force, Assam, who was present for the release. “I wish the population of the pygmy hog stabilises in this landscape, making Manas more vibrant in its species richness.”
“Maintaining the functionality of grasslands and establishing a stable pygmy hog population requires integrating habitat management with population monitoring,” said Dr. Dhritiman Das, PHCP Field Scientist at Durrell. “Ongoing pygmy hog and habitat monitoring evaluates population trends, ecological dynamics, and reintroduction effectiveness.”
