Newquay Zoo celebrates birth of Visayan warty piglets

Not a lot is known about the natural behaviour or characteristics of the species

Four critically endangered piglets have been born at Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.

There are only about 200 Visayan warty pigs left in their native habitat in the Philippines.

The decline of the species - almost to the point of extinction - has been blamed on both habitat destruction and over hunting.

The Visayan warty pig receives its name from three pairs of fleshy "warts" on the boar's face, to protect it from rival pigs' tusks during a fight.

'Keeping them inside'

It is the fourth year a sow at Newquay Zoo has produced a litter.

Stewart Muir, the zoo's director, said: "We have worked hard to create an environment where the pigs will thrive and the fact that this is the fourth year we have welcomed babies is proof that we have succeeded.''

The animals are so rare, not a lot is known about their natural behaviour and characteristics.

''We are currently keeping them inside at the zoo so that we can observe their behaviour more closely and learn more about the species," Mr Muir said.

Newquay Zoo is providing financial assistance for an education and breeding programme in the Philippines and is also working with other European zoos to ensure the survival of the pigs.