SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The first-ever warthog piglets at Utah’s Hogle Zoo have been born, and visitors already have an opportunity to go see them.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo announced the arrival of common warthog piglets on Friday, stating that they are both healthy and have spent the last few weeks bonding with their mother, 3-year-old Tikiti, in a behind-the-scenes area.
The piglets, named Chad and Wharton by zoo donors, are both male. They were born on June 16 and now weigh in at just over 11 pounds each. Tikiti is a first-time mom, but the zoo says she is doing a wonderful job in the role.
“With this being Tikiti’s first time giving birth, we weren’t sure what the outcome would be. Staff and the veterinary team were prepared to assist with raising the piglets if needed, but I’m happy to announce that Tikiti has been a wonderful, attentive, and loving mother to her two babies. Sometimes natural instincts kick in with first-time moms, and she made it look easy,” Lauren LeCoque, Supervisor over the zoo’s African Savanna, is quoted as saying.
Tikiti arrived at Utah’s Hogle Zoo from Dallas with an 8-year-old warthog named Swifty. They were part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), and a recommended breeding pair.
As the piglets age, they will likely move to another AZA-accredited zoo to support their own SSP and serve as ambassadors for their species. But for now, visitors at Utah’s Hogle Zoo might be able to spot them running around their habitat with mom.
The zoo notes that it has been a journey to bring together Tikiti and Swifty.
“We weren’t sure how she would do with her first babies because she had to be hand-reared by the Dallas Zoo’s care team when she was not showing signs of being as active as they had hoped. When Tikiti first arrived at Hogle Zoo, she had to be coached on how to be a warthog. The team spent a lot of time with her, walking her around the savanna and carefully introducing her to Swifty until she was comfortable,” Melissa Dacumos, Associate Director of Animal Care, is quoted. “I am so proud of Tikiti and how far she has come. It has been a joy to watch her settle into this new chapter of motherhood!”
Utah’s Hogle Zoo noted that common warthogs currently have stable global numbers in the wild, but they still face significant threats such as poaching. If you want to support warthogs, the zoo recommends supporting national parks, wildlife reserves, and conservation organizations that protect them in Southern Africa, either by responsible tourism or through donations.
Latest headlines:
- TRAFFIC ALERT: Wasatch Boulevard closed at Millrock Driv due to crash
- Utah’s Hogle Zoo welcomes first-ever set of warthog piglets
- DHHS also revokes license of Provo Canyon School’s Provo campus for failing to protect clients from harm and mistreatment
- ‘Just unnerving’: Orem man sentenced to prison for manslaughter in girlfriend’s 2021 suicide
- ‘He would have killed as many Muslims as possible’: Suspect charged with hate crime enhancement in Valley Fair mall stabbing
