AFRICA’S WILD SWINE - Some common…some downright rare!
North America is now estimated to hold some nine million feral hogs, the most numerous large wild animal after the whitetail deer. Agricultural damage from hogs runs into the billions, and long-term impact on native fauna and flora isn’t yet known. For sure, the rapid expansion of feral hogs has changed America’s hunting culture! We spend much of the year along California’s central coast, epicenter of California’s feral hog population. The wild hog is our most important game animal, long surpassing deer. So, with no apologies, I am a pig hunter!
Africa follows the pattern…to a degree. Continentwide, the warthog is Africa’s most widespread game animal, and wherever found is an important food source for two and four-legged predators. In South Africa, the bushpig, impossible to contain, is the most available game for many local hunters. But these best-known “pigs” are just the beginning of Africa’s full suite of swine.
As avid pig hunters, my buddies and I used to speculate on the possibility of collecting all of the world’s wild swine. We figured such a feat could be called a “ham slam.” Or, perhaps, a “swine sweep” or “porcine parade.” Except it’s impossible! The archipelagos of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines hold suidaes not hunted in living memory: Bearded pigs, warty pigs, the legendary babirusa with fantastic vertical tusks! Hunting all of Africa’s wild swine is possible…but a work of many years!
Africa holds six species. Uniquely, however, Africa’s wild swine represent four distinct genera. The warthogs are genus Phacochoerus, with two species, the widespread
