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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/26/warts-and-all-critically-endangered-warty-piglet-on-show-in-cornwall
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Warts and all: critically endangered warty piglet on show in Cornwall | Warts and all: critically endangered warty piglet on show in Cornwall |
(5 months later) | |
Zookeepers are celebrating the birth of a critically endangered warty piglet. | Zookeepers are celebrating the birth of a critically endangered warty piglet. |
The Visayan warty piglet was born in February at Newquay zoo in Cornwall, where it is now on show. | The Visayan warty piglet was born in February at Newquay zoo in Cornwall, where it is now on show. |
Warty pigs originate from the Visayan Islands in the Philippines, where they live in dense forested areas. | Warty pigs originate from the Visayan Islands in the Philippines, where they live in dense forested areas. |
The species, which is in rapid decline, is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list. | The species, which is in rapid decline, is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list. |
John Meek, curator of animals at Newquay zoo, said: “I am really thrilled we have successfully bred a warty piglet, as the species is in dire straits and without intervention from us they are in danger of becoming extinct. | John Meek, curator of animals at Newquay zoo, said: “I am really thrilled we have successfully bred a warty piglet, as the species is in dire straits and without intervention from us they are in danger of becoming extinct. |
“We had to keep it inside for the first few weeks as it’s been so wet, but the piglet is thriving and visitors can now catch a glimpse of it out and about.” | “We had to keep it inside for the first few weeks as it’s been so wet, but the piglet is thriving and visitors can now catch a glimpse of it out and about.” |
Habitat destruction and over-hunting have been blamed for the warty pig population almost becoming extinct in the wild. | Habitat destruction and over-hunting have been blamed for the warty pig population almost becoming extinct in the wild. |
Little is known about the pigs, which were only recognised as a species in their own right in 1997. | Little is known about the pigs, which were only recognised as a species in their own right in 1997. |
Male warty pigs are much larger than females and develop long crests and manes – similar to a mohawk hairstyle – in the breeding season. | Male warty pigs are much larger than females and develop long crests and manes – similar to a mohawk hairstyle – in the breeding season. |