The Giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) is considered the largest wild member of the pig family. It is native to wooded habitats in Africa. Despite its large size and relatively wide distribution, it was first described only in 1904.
The Giant forest hog has extensive hairs on its body, though these tend to become less pronounced as the animal ages. It is mostly black in color on the surface, though hairs nearest the skin of the animal are a deep orange color. Its ears are large and pointy. The tusks are proportionally smaller than those of the warthogs but bigger than those of the bushpig. Nevertheless, the tusks of a male may reach a length of 35.9 centimeters (14.1 in). Females of this species are smaller than males.
Giant forest hogs occur in the west and central Africa, where they are largely restricted to the Guinean and Congolese forests. They also occur more locally in the humid highlands of the Rwenzori Mountains and as far east as Mount Kenya and the Ethiopian Highlands. They are mainly found in forest-grassland mosaics, but can also be seen in wooded savanna and subalpine habitats. These animals cannot cope with low humidity or prolonged exposure to the sun, and that's why they avoid arid regions and habitats devoid of dense cover.
Giant forest hogs live in herds (sounders) of up to 20 individuals consisting of females and their offspring, but usually also including a single old male. They are usually nocturnal, but in cold periods, they are more commonly seen during daylight hours. They may also be diurnal in regions where they are protected from humans. In safe areas, where Giant forest hogs are not hunted, they stay active for many hours and may travel up to 8-12 km (5-7.5 mi) per day. They will feed in the open and travel between pastures, sleeping areas, water holes, wallows and rubbing places, latrines, and mineral licks which are connected by paths through the underbrush. When threatened by their main predators such as hyenas and leopards, piglets freeze at the sound of an alarm grunt and adults will surround them to defend.
Giant forest hogs are mainly herbivores (graminivores, folivores). They feed on various grasses, leaves, sedges, and herbs.
Little is known about the mating system of Giant forest hogs. They breed from February to April and August to October. Females leave the sounder before giving birth and return with the piglets about a week after parturition. The gestation period lasts around 151 days after which 2-11 piglets are born. All members of the sounder protect the piglets, and all females can nurse them. Piglets are weaned when they are 9 weeks old and reach reproductive maturity at 18 months of age.
Giant forest hogs are threatened by the deforestation of their habitat and by hunting for food. These and other and other forms of human disturbance have led to the local decrease or even extinction of populations. Diseases and parasite transmission may also pose a big threat to this species.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Giant forest hog total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.
