Conservation of The Giant Forest Hog in a Set of Protected Areas of Western Uganda

In Uganda, Kibale National Park and the adjacent Queen Elizabeth National Park hold the largest population of giant forest hog in the country and are the strongholds of the populations in eastern Africa. The giant forest hog is the largest wild suid of the world with males reaching more than 250 kg and one meter in height. The massive body is covered with black hair and has naked prominent cheeks and tusks that protrude from the mouth horizontally. This species lives in tropical Africa from Ethiopia to Western Africa in scattered populations inhabiting diverse vegetation types, ranging from bamboo and subalpine forests to lowland swamps and secondary growth thickets. This species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN red list, but there is evidence that at least the eastern African populations have been decreasing at alarming rates in the last 30 years.

This project seeks to develop three key actions aimed to conserve giant forest hog populations in three key protected areas of Western Uganda which are Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park and Toro-Semliki Wildlife. The three actions include ecological research to estimate the population relative abundance, group size and space need; social research to realise workshops, interviews and meetings with local stakeholders; and conservation measures that includes supporting anti-poaching patrols with equipment.