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Part III

26

Conservation of Wild Pigs and Peccaries

Alexine Keuroghlian, Rafael Reyna-Hurtado, Erik Meijaard, Mariana Altrichter,

Harald Beck, and Jaime Gongora

Introduction

As outlined in other chapters of this book, the different species
of pigs and peccaries show considerable ecological and morpho-
logical variation, with adaptations ranging from specializing to
tropical rainforest conditions or to surviving in semi-desert con-
ditions. The 21 species of pigs and peccaries (but see Chapter 1 in
this book for an updated classification of Suidae and Tayassuidae
families) do have one thing in common: all show remarkable
ecological versatility, and have numerous important ecological
roles in their ecosystem. Other broad communalities are to be
found in its range of body size (c.6–320 kg), social behaviour
(mostly group-dwelling), and diet (general frugivorous/omniv-
orous). Most species are also important prey for a range of large
carnivores as well as an important protein source for people
(Meijaard et al. 2011; Taber et al. 2011). High rates of predation
(or killing for pest control) are important threats for many taxa.
Most pigs and peccary species are forest-dependent at least to
some extent, and high rates of deforestation are affecting many
pigs and peccary species. Presently, of the 18 species of wild
pigs, 11 are classified as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or
Vulnerable, and the remainder in a lower-risk category accord-
ing to the IUCN Red List (www.iucnredlist.org). The three
peccaries are critically Endangered, Vulnerable and Least
Concern. Morphology and genetics have been important to
assess the evolutionary relationships between species of suids
and tayassuids, providing evidence to assist in the delineation of
species using genetic and phylogenetic concepts (see Chapter 1 of
this book). However, more comprehensive sampling and molec-
ular systematic studies of peccaries from across the Americas
and suids from across Eurasia and Africa is required to assist in
identifying cryptic species and undiscovered ones. Investigation
on population numbers and conservation status will be required
for the new species currently under discussion in Chapter 1. In
this chapter we will review the conservation status and threats
that the two families are facing across the globe and the causes
and consequences of these threats to their long-term survival.
We recognize that many species face locally specific threats, but
here we focus on general trends to identify broader conservation
strategies that benefit many members of these species groups.

Conservation Status of Pigs and Peccaries

The American representatives of suborder Suoidea, the pecca-
ries (Tayassuidae), occur across a wide range of habitats rang-
ing from tropical rainforests to dry scrublands and even deserts.

Among the peccaries, the Chacoan peccary is endemic to the

thorn forests and grasslands of the Gran Chaco of Paraguay,

Bolivia, and north-eastern Argentina. It is in decline through-

out its range because the Chaco is undergoing severe defor-

estation (Figure 26.1), over-hunting, habitat destruction, and

possibly disease (Taber 1991; Taber et al. 1993; Altrichter 2005,

2006; Altrichter et al. 2015). For this reason, of the three spe-

cies of Tayassuidae, the Chacoan peccary is the only one that

is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ as a result of rapid popu-

lation declines in the Chaco biome. The status of another spe-

cies of peccary, the white-lipped peccary, was recently changed

to ‘Vulnerable’ on IUCN’s Red List (Keuroghlian et  al. 2013).

IUCN Peccary Specialist representatives have documented the

white-lipped peccary to be extirpated from El Salvador and

Uruguay; their range has also been critically reduced through-

out Mexico (84 per cent), Central America, and portions of

South America in the last 20 years, with documented sites of

local extirpation, including populations in Ecuador and Bolivia

(Roldan & Simonetti 2001; Tirira 2001; Altrichter et  al. 2012;

Keuroghlian et al. 2012). Due to the alarming increase of local

extinctions, numerous countries have updated their Red List

category for the species to Endangered or Vulnerable, e.g. most

recently: Mexico, Brazil, and Ecuador (Keuroghlian et al. 2013).

The collared peccary, the most widely distributed peccary, is

listed as ‘Least Concern’; however, its status needs to be closely

monitored due to the continuing rates of habitat destruction

and over-hunting that occur in some regions. There is evidence

of local extinctions in the eastern and southern portions of its

original distribution range in Argentina, of local populations

decreasing in Mexico (Briceño-Mendes and Reyna-Hurtado,

unpublished data) and its extinction in Uruguay. Collared pec-

caries inhabit some of the larger islands near the mainland in

the Caribbean, such as Trinidad and Tobago, but islands further

from the mainland do not currently have peccaries. Compared

with the endemic Chacoan peccary, both the white-lipped and

collared peccary are widespread and inhabit an impressively

diverse range of habitats and climates.

Suidae naturally occur in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Many

of the Critically Endangered and Endangered suid species are

endemic to regions of Asia and its islands (Table 26.1). When

habitats of endemic species are converted or fragmented, their

distribution and population sizes decline, leaving them vulner-

able to becoming endangered more rapidly than other com-

parable species. Endemism coupled with other threats such as

over-hunting or habitat loss has caused the conservation status

Conservation and Management

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