Mitigate wild pig-human conflict on the Togian Islands

A camera trapping study by Jati et al. (2024) found a strong indication that human-wildlife conflict is a serious threat to the Togean babirusa, an endemic wild pig species to the Togean Archipelago. Most locals depend on agricultural practices for their primary income, which explains their motivation to actively seek to kill the babirusa because this species is considered a pest. Given the lack of natural predators in the islands (except for saltwater crocodile and reticulated python), human-wildlife conflict might be the primary cause of babirusa mortality. Through this project, we facilitate local communities to perform human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies to reduce babirusa's crop-raiding rate. We introduce some modern technology, but most importantly, we facilitate locals to develop strategies based on their own experiences and local values. By showing that non-lethal control is more effective in reducing crop damage, we hope to grow their voluntary motivation to participate in babirusa conservation, such as not killing the species and removing snares. We also organize education programs at local schools to boost conservation awareness among students as an investment for long-term conservation in the Togean Archipelago. However, we acknowledge that we cannot facilitate all local communities throughout the islands, and babirusa snaring may still happen. Therefore, we will build a local rescue facility and encourage locals to hand over the babirusas they snared. When releasable, the babirusas will be released immediately or after being treated. However, if the babirusas are severely injured and highly likely will not survive in the wild, the individuals will be translocated to suitable long-term ex-situ conservation facilities, where these individuals can become founders of a much-needed ex-situ insurance population. This will significantly improve the species conservation since there are no known Togean babirusa in captivity. Like other Suidae species worldwide, the Togean babirusa is vulnerable to the African swine flu, which is already island-hopping across Southeast Asia (Ewers et al. 2021). An outbreak in the Togean Archipelago could potentially wipe out the entire Togean babirusa population. Reintroduction from the Sulawesi populations is not an option because they are different species. Therefore, having some rescued individuals that would otherwise die could establish a new captive population that can be reintroduced to the islands.