Barpeta, June 7: In a significant boost to wildlife conservation efforts, 15 captive-bred pygmy hogs were released into the Kuribeel grasslands of Manas National Park on Saturday, marking another milestone in the recovery programme for one of the world’s rarest mammals.
The release was carried out under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP), with nine females and six males reintroduced into a habitat that holds historic importance for the species. Nearly 30 years ago, in 1996, six pygmy hogs were captured from the same grasslands to establish a conservation breeding programme aimed at preventing the species’ extinction.
The latest exercise marks the sixth reintroduction effort in Manas since 2020, taking the total number of pygmy hogs released in the park to 78. Conservationists have also outlined plans to release around 80 more animals over the next five years, with the long-term objective of establishing a self-sustaining wild population of about 300 pygmy hogs by 2040.
Officials noted that no confirmed sightings of pygmy hogs had been recorded in the Kuribeel grasslands for the past nine years, making the reintroduction a critical step in restoring the species to its natural habitat. The initiative follows eight years of grassland restoration and protection measures undertaken by the PHCP in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and local communities.
The pygmy hog (Porcula salvania), recognised as the world’s smallest and rarest wild pig, was once believed to be extinct before being rediscovered in the 1970s. It continues to face threats from habitat loss, invasive species and human interference.
Senior forest officials, including Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam Vinay Gupta, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Suman Mohapatra, and Manas Tiger Reserve Field Director C Ramesh, were present during the release.
Gupta described the initiative as a remarkable conservation achievement, emphasising the importance of such efforts in restoring grassland ecosystems and protecting endangered species. Mohapatra said the return of the pygmy hog reflects the success of sustained habitat restoration and improved ecological health in Manas.
The PHCP, a collaborative initiative involving the Assam Forest Department, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group, Ecosystems-India and Aaranyak, has so far bred and released 194 pygmy hogs across Assam. One of its most notable successes has been in Orang National Park, where a released population has grown to an estimated 200 animals, now believed to be entirely wild-born.
Conservationists say Manas, with its extensive grassland ecosystems, remains crucial for biodiversity conservation in the sub-Himalayan region and supports both wildlife habitats and local community livelihoods. They have stressed that continued habitat restoration and scientific management will be essential for the long-term survival of the species.
