Fifteen pygmy hogs return to Manas — home after 30 years
Published · Researched 2026-09-22
What happened (dated facts)
On 7 June 2026, 15 captive-bred pygmy hogs — the world's smallest and rarest wild pig — were released at Kuribeel in Manas National Park, returning the species to Manas after a 30-year absence. Since releases began in 2020, 78 pygmy hogs have been returned to Manas; 194 have been released across Assam. The programme is run by Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust with the Assam Forest Department and the IUCN Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme.
Why it is genuinely positive
A species once thought extinct, now back in a park it vanished from for three decades — with a second wild population building toward a target of 300.
Social pulse
Durrell's release video on YouTube; Assam conservation media and international wildlife outlets celebrated the return.
Verified quotes
None captured.
Verification
- Tier: 1
- Primary source: Assam Times report, http://www.assamtimes.org/article/pygmy-hogs-return-home-to-manas-after-30-years-23761 — 15 released at Kuribeel on 2026-06-07; 78 released in Manas since 2020; 194 total in Assam.
- Social sources: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0w7g-KP3Ik); Assam conservation-media coverage.
- Positivity check: Unambiguous reintroduction milestone. Passed.
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Released | 15 at Kuribeel, Manas NP | Assam Times | 2026-06-07 |
| Absent from Manas | 30 years | Assam Times | 2026 |
| Released in Manas since 2020 | 78 | Assam Times | 2026 |
| Released across Assam (total) | 194 | Assam Times | 2026 |
| Target | Second viable wild population of 300 | Durrell | 2026 |
UNVERIFIED points
- Post-release survival of the June cohort: not published in the sources reviewed. UNVERIFIED.
Sources
- Social sources: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust YouTube ( — retrieval date not recorded