Pygmy Hog World's smallest and the rarest Pig An insight into its Biology & Conservation A talk by Deepanwita Purohit Deepanwita Purohit studies the … Intense deforestation and habitat destruction due to accelerated development of agriculture, overgrazing and fires, led to drastic reduction in the number of pygmy hogs in the wild. Pygmy hog natural habitat consists of relatively flat terrain covered in densely packed 2 metre high ‘elephant grass’. However, no pygmy hog has been recorded there since 1994. Therefore, if the pygmy hog population flourishes, it indicates there is ample grassland in the habitat and therefore the entire biodiversity of the ecosystem is flourishing. Once found in the grass lands of whole southern Himalayan foot hill, Pygmy Hog has faced the wrath of human civilization and has been wiped out from most of it’s habitat. Its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat, the tall, wet grasslands of the region. Simulated environments are important as the hogs need to learn to become independent in as natural a setting as possible before being released. “It was essential, therefore, that the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) follows a two-pronged action plan: conservation breeding of the animal against possible early extinction and re-introduction in selected sites, and habitat management,” said the advisor to PHCP, Goutam Narayan. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has launched a comprehensive conservation strategy including field status surveys of pygmy hogs and their habitats, behavioural studies, personnel training, local community awareness and assistance programmes, and the establishment of a highly successful captive-breeding programme at the Pygmy Hog Research and Breeding Centre in Assam. The pygmy hog is one of the very few mammals that build its own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’, but maybe more important than its own attributes, is the fact that it is an indicator species.

Currently the species is confined to the tall grass upland of Manas National Park in Assam with an estimated population of below 250. They used to be widespread in the tall, wet grasslands in the southern Himalayan foothills from Uttar Pradesh to Assam, through Nepal and north Bengal.

The main threats to survival of pygmy hog are loss and degradation of habitat due to encroachment by human settlements, agricultural encroachments, flood control schemes, and improper management. Increasing human encroachment into the pygmy hogs habitat and exploitation of the rich grasslands needs to be addressed before the long-term recovery of the species can be realised. I nearly lost my guide in front when I turned around! Pygmy hog inhabits areas covered with tall, dense grass, mixed scrublands and secondary forests. Simulated environments are important as the hogs need to learn to become independent in as natural a setting as possible before being released. Its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat, the tall, wet grasslands of the region.