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Part II: Species AccountsSkull measurements are available from two individuals from
Iwahig, central Palawan (Sanborn 1952): total length 361.0,
376.0 mm; condylo-basal length: 308.0, 327.0; palatal length:
224.0, 225.0; interorbital width 62.0, 65.2; zygomatic width
138.0, 157.0; upper molar series 116.3, 118.6; least outside width
of palate 50.6, 52.3; greatest width of palate, outside third molar
61.5, 61.6; nasals least width 19.1, 21.0; greatest width 32.7, 32.2;
length 177.0, 187.0.Habitat
The species is recorded from contiguous and fragmented forests
from sea level to montane forest up to 1500 m a.s.l., as well as
cultivated areas (Esselstyn et al. 2004). It is still relatively com-
mon in more remote hill forests within the Mantalingahan,
Victoria/Anepahan and Pagdanan Mountain Ranges as indi-
cated by frequent tracks and feeding signs. Until recently, com-
mon in grassland–forest mosaics in Calauit (Sariego, personal
communication 2016). Association with grassland areas is
reflected in the local name ‘baboy damo’, which means grass pig.
The species is recorded from all major forest types in Palawan,
including evergreen and semi-evergreen montane, hill and low-
land, ultramafic, limestone, and mangrove forests. Wetlands are
regularly frequented, particularly those inside or bordering for-
est areas.Movements and Home Range
Little information on the movements of this species is available.
Palawan bearded pigs were observed swimming between islands
in southern Palawan. Secondary information from hunters indi-
cates that smaller islands close to the main island of Palawan are
not permanently inhabited, but visited occasionally by forag-
ing pigs. Larger seasonal movements following mass-fruiting
events, as previously reported from Borneo for S. barbatus, are
apparently non-existent for S. ahoenobarbus. The reasons for
this could be either the long and narrow geography of Palawan
which prevents different fruiting seasons in different parts of the
island, the lack of distinct mass-fruiting events, or the scarcity
of dipterocarps in Palawan, which are a major food source for
S. barbatus in Borneo.
No information on home range is available.Activity Patterns
The species is nocturnal in most locations due to intensive hunt-
ing pressure throughout the range. Before the onset of heavy
poaching activities in the area, it could be observed in forest–
grassland mosaics in Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary throughout the
day, except during the hot hours.Feeding Ecology
Systematic observations on the feeding ecology of the species
are lacking, but anecdotal observations indicate that a wide
variety of plant and animal food sources are utilized. Damage
to crops includes upland and wetland rice, maize, cassava, sweet
potato, and taro. The species feeds on fallen fruits, with Ficus,
Dipterocarpus, Garcinia, Anacardium and Mangifera recorded
so far, but undoubtedly including many more species.Earthworms and soil arthropods almost certainly play a
major role in nutrition, as traces of rooting are often associ-
ated with the conspicuous casts of lumbricid worms in lowland
forests and wetlands. Occasionally Palawan bearded pigs enter
mangroves to root for marine invertebrates. Carrion may be
consumed as well. In Calauit, pigs reportedly killed and partly
consumed a Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) (Sariego,
personal communication 2015).Reproduction and Growth
No information is available, except that juveniles were recorded
in August.Behaviour
Groups seldom exceed two to three individuals according to
information from hunters, although larger natal family units
and other socio-reproductive groups may persist in undis-
turbed areas (Meijaard et al. 2011).
Shallow indentations in the soil in dense vegetation are used
for resting during the hot daytime hours. Mud wallows along the
edges of creeks are regularly used.
Hunters report that sows with juveniles are very aggressive
and best avoided.Parasites and Diseases
Next to nothing is known. Fresh carcasses of hunted animals
were noted to be infested with ticks and occasionally with
leeches.Status in the Wild
The Palawan bearded pig is currently listed as ‘Vulnerable’, due
to the extent of occurrence being less than 20,000 km^2 , frag-
mentation and decline of forest habitat and overhunting (IUCN
2016). The species is protected on national and provincial levels
under the National Wildlife Act of the Philippines. It is present
in at least five protected areas: Mt. Mantalingahan Protected
Landscape, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park,
Malampaya Sound Protected Land- and Seascape, El Nido
Protected Land- and Seascape, and Omoi and Manambaling
Cockatoo Reserves on Dumaran Island. Confiscations of living
animals took place sporadically in the past (Figure 17.2), but
bushmeat is virtually never seized.
Because the species seems to be adaptable to a variety of dif-
ferent habitats and was common in forest grassland mosaics in the
formerly well-protected Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary (Figure 17.3),
it is not clear what role forest reduction and fragmentation plays in
the decline of the species. However, Palawan is currently undergo-
ing rapid transformation, particularly involving the establishment
of larger-scale monocrop plantations (oil palm, rubber, coffee,
cacao) which undoubtedly affects the species.
Pigs are frequently killed in car traffic collisions, and a denser
road network, particularly in remoter parts of the archipelago,
will negatively affect populations.
The Palawan bearded pig is the largest remaining member of
Palawan’s megafauna and is therefore a prime target for hunting,
both for subsistence and for the bushmeat trade (Lacerna &.01912:41:26