Giant Forest Hog
The giant forest hog does not tolerate low humidity environments, and it requires dense cover. The Aberdare Mountains of Kenya is home to forest wildlife more often associated with Central African rainforests, like huge forest hogs and bongos (an antelope types). The Aberdares did not have a lion population, and the big predators flourished– in part by eating giant forest hogs and bongos.
The giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni). © Panegyrics of Granovetter/ Flickr
The giant forest hog is among the those animals that has actually haunted my dreams given that I was a wildlife-obsessed kid. Theyre striking beasts: the males can reach 600 pounds and have huge “warts” (really enlarged preorbital glands) on their faces.
The huge forest hog does not tolerate low humidity environments, and it requires thick cover. The bulk of its range is discovered in the forests of central and western Africa. While few will be lucky to see one, they are photographed at the bais– or forest openings– of national parks in the region.
There likewise occur locally in damp mountain forests in eastern Africa. Among these populations is at the center of among the majority of unusual, and little informed, predator conservation stories.
The Aberdare Mountains of Kenya is home to forest wildlife regularly associated with Central African rain forests, like giant forest hogs and bongos (an antelope species). Through the 1970s, wildlife authorities likewise used the Aberdares as a release ground for “issue lions” that had been preying on animals in the ranchlands. The Aberdares did not have a lion population, and the large predators prospered– in part by consuming huge forest hogs and bongos.
These animals were vanishing. Sightings had become unusual. Therefore Kenyan wildlife authorities set up a significant cull of lions in the Aberdares in the early 2000s and late 1990s. While this is covered in a number of scientific papers, it is very challenging to discover detailed details. Wildlife managers eliminated as lots of as 200 lions, an operation cloaked in secrecy for probably apparent factors.
Ever since, huge forest hog sightings have actually increased significantly. As Kenya is a popular traveler destination with an extensive safari infrastructure, the Aberdares is likely the most available location for taking a trip naturalists to see this cool animal.