BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – The elusive Visayan warty pigs, locally known as baboy talunon, have been captured on camera in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park (NPPNP).
The sighting was made possible through the use of thermal camera traps installed by the Bristol-PhilinCon Darwin field project, which is dedicated to surveying wildlife activities within the region’s forests.
The Visayan warty pig (scientific name: Sus cebifrons), is currently listed as a critically endangered species. This classification stems from its rapidly decreasing population and restricted habitat range.
The species is native to the Philippine islands of Cebu, Negros, Panay, Masbate, Guimaras, and Siquijor, underscoring the importance of its preservation.
Declared a natural park in 2002 by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park (NPPNP) spans the municipalities of Nabas, Malay, and Buruanga in Aklan province, as well as Libertad and Pandan in Antique province.
The park serves as a sanctuary for several endemic species, including the Visayan warty pig.
A representative from the Philippine Initiative for the Conservation of the Environment and the People (PhilinCon), the organization overseeing the project, expressed optimism about the pigs’ presence in the wild.
“It’s encouraging to see the Visayan warty pigs thriving in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park. These remarkable creatures play a crucial role in the forest ecosystem of NPPNP. Let’s continue to protect these rockstars of the Northwest,” the representative stated.
PhilinCon’s ongoing efforts, supported by both local and international entities, highlight the critical need for continued conservation initiatives to ensure the survival of these unique animals in their natural environment. (Source: Philippine Initiative for Conservation of Environment and the People Facebook Page)
