Endangered 'Pig Deer' Born for the First Time in Zoo Miami; Bizarre-Looking Babirusa Delivered One Year After Its Mother Birthed a Stillborn

Located in South Florida is a 750-acre (3 square kilometers) parcel of land called Zoo Miami. Also known as Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, it is the fifth largest zoo in the US which is home to more than 2,500 animals representing over 400 different species. Just recently, the zoo welcomed an endangered animal which was born for the first time in the zoo's history.

Bizarre-Looking Swine

On December 15, a 'pig-deer' was born to parents Maggie and Harry. The event marked the first successful birth in the history of Zoo Miami. Zoo officials are thrilled by the new member of the babirusa family as Maggie previously birthed a stillborn last year.

The baby babirusa is currently in a healthy condition as it awaits in isolation with its mother before making its debut. According to Zoo Miami's communication director Ron Magill, keeping the mother and baby in isolation is important in ensuring its safety in the enclosure.

Zookeepers are being extra cautious because of the possibility of the baby falling into the moat if it is introduced too soon. They are now facing the challenge of ensuring that the baby gets confident enough to safely navigate the exhibit habitat. They assume that it will still be a few weeks before Maggie and her baby are given free access to the area. Meanwhile, Harry is still on display at Zoo Miami for public viewing.

Authorities confirmed that the mother and baby are doing well and have already begun to show increased tolerance of zookeepers while approaching them to special treats. Although Zoo Miami has yet to determine the official sex of the baby, Magill reports that they are somewhat confident that it is male.

What Is a Babirusa?

Babirusa is a pig-like animal which is native to Suwalesi and other nearby islands in Indonesia. Out of the more than 20 various swine species, babirusa is widely considered one of the most bizarre looking due to the presence of tusks that grow from the top of the male's heads, strongly resembling those of antlers. It also has upper tusks which grow through the top of its face, sometimes curling back into its head. There are also lower tusks which curl upwards and away from its head.

Wildlife researchers theorize that the curving tusks of male babirusas are intended for protecting their face from the lower tusks of an opposing male during a fight. Although the tusks are usually not present in female babirusas, this attribute gives them an almost alien appearance which makes them the strangest-looking pig in the world.

This species is considered endangered, with more than 10,000 left in the world. They currently belong to the IUCN Red List due to excessive hunting and poaching for their meat. The animal also suffers from habitat loss as a result of agricultural development.

At birth, a babirusa can weigh less than 1.7 pounds (0.8 kilogram), but a full-grown male can weigh up to 220 pounds (100 kilograms). They also have a typical lifespan of seven to ten years in the wild, although they can also live up to 24 years under human care.