By Myris Lee
A near-endangered warty pig was spotted at Mount Apo during a Holy Week surveillance activity of the Department of Environment and National Resources-Davao (DENR-Davao).
Warty pig is locally known as “baboy-ramo” or “baboy-ihalas.”
According to DENR-Davao, the sighting of the endemic warty pig is “a sign of progressive natural recovery of the peak area with its presence.”
“Although protected by the Philippine law, these wild pigs are categorized as vulnerable due to its decreasing population. If the said threat worsens, they may soon be listed as endangered,” DENR-Davao said.
The Department reminded trekkers to keep distance from wild animals and refrain feeding them “so they will not lose their natural instinct to independently hunting for food.” – gb
