After a few days in a specially built holding area the door was pulled back and a family of captive born Pygmy Hogs took their first steps into the wild. They paused for a moment, then the adult male led them all out. This was the image that captured that moment I still remember fondly from last May in Assam, India. Critically endangered in the wild this breeding program is trying to ensure these wonderful and enduring Pygmy Hogs don’t go extinct.
Last month I spent two weeks in the province of Assam in North-eastern India to cover the 100th Pygmy Hog release for Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust that are based in Jersey. The work being done to save this critically endangered species was just amazing to witness and be part of. The following images show you some of the amazing things I witnessed during this incredible trip.
During national Badger week up and down the country there are lots of events being staged that you can attend. I’m pleased to announce that I’m doing a talk as part of one event in Stafford where all money goes to the trust that try and fight for our native Badgers that live below us and come into our world when weve gone to bed.
It was thought that the worlds smallest and rarest wild pig by the 1960’s was lost forever. But with over 30 years of dedication from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the pygmy hog now has a brighter future. They are still critically endangered and on the IUCN red list but the future looks brighter for them with the work going on to save them.
