Working to Protect Warty Pigs
Endangered Javan warty pigs face pressure from multiple fronts. With no legal protection, they are seen as an agricultural pest and are hunted both to protect crops and by hobbyists. At the same time, they are vulnerable to disease and hybridisation with other wild pig species. Chester Zoo is supporting partners in Java to secure the warty pig in their remaining habitat and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Unprotected wild pigs
The Javan warty pig (Sus verrucosus) live wild only on the island of Java, Indonesia. Despite being categorised as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, these pigs are unprotected by Indonesian law, meaning that hunting them for sport or crop protection is legal.
The species experienced a 50% decline in population from 1982-2004, and populations are now restricted to a few small, isolated areas.
As well as habitat loss and hunting, recent genetic research shows that hybridisation with banded pigs (Sus scrofa) could also be a major threat.
Chester Zoo has supported Javan warty pig conservation for over 10 years, through support of the Cikananga Conservation Breeding Centre (CCBC) and the subsequent establishment of the Javan Species Recovery Programme (JaSpeR) in 2017.
(Picture by Matt Struebig)
Minimising pig persecution
JaSpeR is headed up by leading Javan warty pig experts Yudi Irawan and Hany Zuyyina Luthfa. The team monitors both Javan warty pigs and community attitudes to the pigs, to understand and reduce persecution of the species.
The current condition of the population in its diminishing habitats is deeply concerning. Hunting is a major threat to the remaining Javan warty pig population.
The killing of wild pigs is widely supported by local communities, which consider them an agricultural pest. Most Javan warty pigs live in unprotected areas, so there are no restrictions on how many can be hunted.
To compound this, Javan Warty Pigs, and other wild pig species, are at risk from African Swine Fever, a fatal disease affecting domestic and wild pigs that is impacting the pork industry, forest livelihoods and ecosystem balance across Eurasia and Africa.
The disease is now established in Indonesia, which is home to six of Asia’s eleven wild pig species, including five that are endemic – that is, restricted to specific regions.
Changing public perceptions
It is likely that Javan warty pigs will be up-listed on the IUCN red list. They are currently listed as Endangered but may soon be re-evaluated as Critically Endangered thanks to African Swine Fever, which has already spread through Borneo with a near 100% fatality rate.
In 2017-2020, the JaSpeR team conducted the first multi-site camera trap survey of the endangered Javan warty pig populations in their range in West Java. Following this, the team narrowed down their focus to Batukaras: a key area where efforts to reduce conflict between people and Javan Warty Pig populations can have real impact.
Here, the JaSpeR team is conducting more in-depth research on population dynamics and habitat selection within the pig species through ongoing camera trap surveys. At the same time, the team is working with the people in West Java to raise awareness of the conservation needs of the Javan warty pig population.
Looking to the future
From 2021 to 2024, the JaSpeR team delivered multiple community conservation interventions. They carried out social surveys to understand the complex issues surrounding human-pig coexistence.
They still work with farmers to help them protect their crops from pigs and other pests such as primates, raise awareness among schoolchildren at events, build capacity in wildlife patrol methods with community members, and work with hunters directly to understand and engage with the conservation needs of Javan warty pigs. This is all with the aim of promoting coexistence.
Recent camera trap surveys indicate the Javan warty pig population remains relatively stable where conservation efforts are high. However, African swine fever and increased hunting accessibility mean the populations remain at risk. Accordingly, the team is developing a Javan warty pig One Plan conservation workshop with the IUCN Wild Pig Specialist Group, scheduled to take place early in 2026, setting out the next steps in this conservation journey.
(Picture by Panji Gusti Akbar)
