Seven pygmy hogs were released in Manas on Thursday and seven more will be released in the next couple of days. “This is good news and the old glory of Manas seems to be coming back,” Manas field director Amal Sharma told The Telegraph.

Strict biosecurity measures have been initiated both at Assam State Zoo and at the captive breeding centre at Basistha and at pygmy hog pre release centre at Nameri following an advisory by Central Zoo Authority after death of pigs due to African Swine Fever in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh .

Pygmy hog is a unique member of the wild pig family.

Six wild hogs (two males and four females) were captured from Manas in March 1996 and brought to the Basistha breeding facility.

The hogs were released in a three square km grassland at Bhuyanpara range in Manas.

The programme aims to save the species as part of a collaborative project of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, IUCN/SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group, Assam forest department and the ministry of environment, forests and climate change with EcoSystems-India and Aaranyak as local partners.

The Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden authorities have notified designated keepers for the pair of pygmy hogs. The keepers are asked to use separate clothes and footwear while handling the species.

Thanks to the conservation efforts, the estimated population of pygmy hogs is currently around 200 in the state.