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Newborn 'Pig-Deer' at Chester Zoo Is Lifeline for Threatened Species

The piglet is one of only a few born at the zoo in recent years as wild babirusas face disease, forest loss and hunting pressures.

  • Chester Zoo welcomed a rare babirusa piglet named Rana, offering a vital boost to conservation of a species facing rapid decline in the wild.
  • Conservationists warn the 'pig-deer' species, found only on four Indonesian islands, faces extinction as African swine fever decimated wild populations since arriving five years ago.
  • Born to 11-year-old mother Matano after a 161-day pregnancy, Rana weighed between 300 and 500 grams, with staff describing her size as a 'grapefruit with legs.'
  • Conservationist Amy Humphreys coordinates efforts through the Action Indonesia Global Species Management Plans, supporting breeding programs and protecting wild populations across Indonesia.
  • Experts describe the situation as a 'race against time' as the species nears Critically Endangered status; babirusas act as ecological engineers critical for forest regeneration.
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13 Articles

Chester StandardChester Standard
+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
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Newborn 'pig-deer' at Chester Zoo is lifeline for threatened species

The babirusa piglet, named Rana, is a new arrival at the zoo.

·Chester, United Kingdom
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Shropshire StarShropshire Star
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birminghamworld.ukbirminghamworld.uk
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Rare 'pig-deer' born at Chester Zoo as swine fever pushes species towards extinction

Their IUNC status is set to be raised to ‘critically endangered’

·Ketley, United Kingdom
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Discover Magazine broke the news in Wilmington, United States on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
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