One of the most unique and elusive wild animals found in the forests of the Philippines. Known for its rough, bristly coat and distinctive facial warts, this wild pig is unlike any other. The males are especially striking, growing thick manes of long hair along their backs and sporting three pairs of fleshy warts on their faces. These warts aren’t just for show—they help protect them during fights with other males, especially during the breeding season. Unlike domesticated pigs, the Philippine warty pig is built for survival in the wild, with a sturdy body, sharp tusks, and an incredible ability to adapt to different forest environments.

One of the most fascinating things about this pig is its intelligence and resourcefulness. It is an omnivore, meaning it eats a wide variety of foods, including roots, fruits, leaves, and even small animals. It plays a vital role in its ecosystem by digging up the forest floor, which helps new plants grow and spreads seeds across the landscape. This makes the Philippine warty pig an important “gardener” of the forest, helping maintain biodiversity. Despite their usefulness in nature, these pigs are very shy and prefer to stay hidden in dense forests, making them hard to spot in the wild.

Unfortunately, the Philippine warty pig is facing serious threats due to deforestation and hunting. As forests are cleared for agriculture and development, their habitat shrinks, forcing them into smaller areas. They are also hunted for meat, and in some areas, they have even interbred with domestic pigs, which threatens their pure wild populations.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Philippines

VU

2017