Over The Horizon

Mixed Porcine Success

Landcare Research ecologist Colin Clarke has returned with mixed success from an expedition to rescue endangered pigs in the Phillippines [Pig Party, November 92]. A New Zealand team was able to capture one pregnant Visayan warty pig, but the Christchurch-based scientist believes the rescue operation was carried out at the wrong time of year.

"It was a case of mistiming," according to Clarke.

He is disappointed with International Union for the Conservation of Nature advice which encouraged him to launch the rescue mission in October.

"The main problem was the thick cogan grass which was at the peak of its growth. It was up to five metres tall. The team found it difficult travelling through the grass and the dogs lost the vital element of surprise when searching for pigs," says Clarke.

Clarke believes it would have been better to undertake the operation in March during the dry season, when the cogan grass has weathered away and the pigs retreat to the remnant jungle areas.

One pig tracked by the dogs turned out to be a large boar not suitable for capture, while another was chased all day for 14 kilometres. Just before the team reached the exhausted pig they heard a piercing cry. A local peasant had killed the pig with a machete. Clarke was annoyed.

"I could have strangled the peasant, especially as it was a valuable female that was killed."

The pregnant sow recovered will join a captive breeding programme for the world's second-rarest pig, along with a juvenile male found abandoned by a peasant.

Clarke believes there is potential for New Zealand companies to provide the Phillippines with materials to assist their attempts to save endangered species. Wire products, animal feeds, remedies and pharmaceuticals are urgently required for the captive breeding programmes.