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Newborn 'pig-deer' at Chester Zoo is lifeline for threatened species
['Barrie White']
Wirral Globe | News
Unlike most pigs, babirusas usually have only one or two piglets at a time, making population recovery slow.
Chester Zoo staff monitored the newborn remotely via a baby monitor to minimise disturbance, as new mothers are highly sensitive during the early days.
"They're much less hairy than other pigs – Rana had ginger fuzz when she was born, but that's gone now.
Amy Humphreys, a conservationist at Chester Zoo, said: "We are in a race against time to understand what’s happening to the population.
With the support of Chester Zoo, at least 17 babirusas have been bred in-country towards national cooperative breeding targets.