Rare piglet the size of 'a grapefruit with legs' born at zoo
A newborn babirusa piglet named Rana, described as the size of a grapefruit with legs, has been introduced at Chester Zoo. The species, native to four Indonesian islands, is facing rapid decline and is expected to be reclassified as critically endangered. Zoo officials emphasize that each captive birth is vital for the species' survival and ecosystem health.
- ▪Rana is the fifth piglet born to mother Matano, who was also born at Chester Zoo eleven years ago.
- ▪Babirusas are native to four Indonesian islands and have been impacted by African swine fever, leading to a projected upgrade to critically endangered status by the IUCN.
- ▪The zoo monitors the mother and piglet remotely due to the species' sensitivity to disturbance and typically small litter sizes.
- ▪Conservationists highlight the babirusa’s role in seed dispersal and as an indicator of forest ecosystem health.
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| Publication time | Wed, 12 Aug 2026 05:12:19 GMT |
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Rare piglet the size of 'a grapefruit with legs' born at zooImage source, Chester ZooImage caption, Babirusa means "pig-deer" in Malay ByLynette HorsburghNorth WestPublished2 minutes agoAn endangered piglet the size of a "grapefruit with legs" when she was born has made her debut at Chester Zoo, conservationists have said.Rana - a babirusa known as a "pig-deer" - has been described as a "lifeline for the species" which is in rapid decline in the wild.Babirusas in the wild are found on just four Indonesian islands and the zoo said they were being wiped out due to African swine fever reaching the islands five years ago.The attraction's Hannah Owens said Rana was "tiny" when she was born but has "grown a lot and is doing really well".Until recently, babirusas were considered vulnerable to…
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