Christmas became more festive at the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation's Biodiversity Conservation Center in Bacolod City Monday night with the birth of four bouncing piglets to a critically endangered Visayan Warty Pig.

Sita, 8, gave birth to a litter of four piglets, Robert Harland, an NFEFI trustee, said yesterday. The father is Jojo, a 16-year-old warty pig.

Jimmy Valenzuela, the deer and pig keeper at NFEFI, noted nesting behavior from Sita early Monday afternoon and monitored her delivery that took place between 9:30 and 10 p.m. Monday, Harland told the DAILY STAR.

It was an easy delivery for Sita who, four years ago, also gifted NFEFI with four other piglets, he said.

"Fortunately, Sita had a relatively easy pregnancy and the piglets are doing well," Dr. Joanne Justo, NFEFI's curator, said, "We'll be able to determine the sexes of the piglets in about four or five days.”

"Sadly, the Visayan Warty Pig population in the wild in Negros is in steep decline because of poaching, hunting and loss of habitat," she said

With the arrival of the new litter, NFEFI now has 18 of these rare animals, Harland said.

As with all 100 plus animals and birds at NFEFI's Center, the new piglets are available for sponsorship by concerned citizens, civic groups and schools, he said.

When we know the sexes of the piglets they will be given names based on the wishes of those who sponsor their care, he added.

Those interested may contact NFEFI at 034 433 9234 or email negrosforests@gmail.com, Harland said.*CPG

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