Newquay Zoo celebrates birth of rare 'warty' piglets

News imageNewquay Zoo The newborn warty pigletsNewquay Zoo
There are thought to be about 200 of the rare pigs left in the wild

A pair of rare piglets has been born at Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.

The Visayan warty pigs, named for the three pairs of fleshy "warts" on the boar's face, which protect it while fighting rival pigs, are part of a breeding programme at the zoo.

The species lives in the forests of the Philippines, where there could be as few as 200 animals left.

News imageNewquay Zoo Newborn warty pigsNewquay Zoo
The piglets exploring their new enclosure

Dave Rich, keeper team leader at Newquay Zoo, said: "After our breeding success with two warty piglets last year, we are so pleased to welcome these new arrivals and to continue helping increase the Visayan warty pig population.

"Our warty pigs are full of character, and the new arrivals are no exception."

News imageNewquay Zoo Mother pig May with the pigletsNewquay Zoo
The piglets are part of a breeding programme at Newquay Zoo
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