Ecology, Conservation and Management of Wild Pigs and Peccaries

Chapter 37: Ex-situ conservation of wild pigs and peccaries

429

transfers to other regions, to improve the genetic status of these
other subpopulations and the global population as a whole and
to help save the EEP population from the demographic crisis
that it is currently in. This will also allow time to further clarify
outstanding taxonomic uncertainties and required quarantine
procedures (Leus et al. 2016a).

Common Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus)

While most populations seem to be in decline over much of the
geographic range, the common warthog (Phacochoerus afri-
canus) is still widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, present
in most protected areas in savanna zones and currently listed
as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
(de Jong et al. 2016). Ex-situ management is not required for the
conservation of this species. However, warthogs have a long his-
tory in zoos and especially following the release of the movie The
Lion King (Walt Disney Feature Animation) in 1994 this species
experienced a further increase in popularity. Zoos largely held
individuals of unknown or uncertain or hybrid subspecies. In
1992 four European zoos entered into a cooperation with the
Department of Parks and Wildlife Management in The Gambia
and set up a conservation fund on behalf of the government, in
return for animals (Vercammen & Habets 2006). Due to the dis-
appearance or severe decline of large predators in The Gambia,
warthog populations abounded, causing excessive agricultural
damage. They were thus subject to control measures. Between
1992 and 1995, 12 wild Gambian warthogs of the subspecies
Phacochoerus africanus africanus were transferred from The
Gambia to Antwerp Zoo. The animals and their offspring were
on loan from the Wildlife Department of The Gambia and they
became part of the European Studbook (ESB) programme. Zoos
receiving animals, or offspring, from this stock agreed to pay
€1000 per individual into the conservation fund. Individuals

from this subspecies were not mixed with other individuals

already in the studbook. Today the population derived from

these animals counts 113 individuals, and only one animal of

unknown/uncertain/mixed subspecies remains in the ESB

(R. Snipp, personal communication) (Table 37.2). Funds were

used to support the Abuko Nature Reserve, The Gambia, and its

education centre and animal orphanage, the chimpanzee reha-

bilitation centre on Baboon Island, the handling of confiscated

animals by the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management,

etc. The project ran for well over a decade, but is no longer active.

Nevertheless, it showcased a good example of how a popular,

non-threatened species can contribute to the conservation of

unrelated threatened species and their habitat. The AZA SSP for

the common warthog currently counts 120 individuals which

are not being managed by subspecies (Table 37.2). It is estimated

they are derived from about eight founders (Smith & Sullivan

2015). Both in EAZA and AZA warthogs appear to be over the

height of their popularity among holding institutions and both

populations experience increasing inbreeding and decreas-

ing levels of gene diversity due to their low founder number.

This translates into a reduced evolutionary potential and an

increased risk of inbreeding depression. If this species is deemed

an important exhibit species, this situation holds certain risks.

Red River Hog (Potamochoerus porcus)

While having the dubious honour of being one of the favoured

species in both the subsistence and commercial bushmeat trade

in Africa, the red river hog is still relatively widespread and

common, and listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of

Threatened Species (Reyna et al. 2016). Both EAZA and AZA

manage cooperative breeding programmes (an EEP and SSP,

respectively) for this species and each hold a large population

(Table 37.2). Both populations are also derived from a very low

Figure 37.3 Male Sulawesi babirusa

(Babyrousa celebensis) at Chester Zoo

(photo by Chester Zoo). (A black and

white version of this figure will appear

in some formats. For the colour version,

please refer to the plate section.)

.039

13:02:26