Babirusa

The name “babirusa” is actually derived from two separate malay words – ‘babi’ meaning pig, and ‘rusa’ meaning deer.

While all members of their genus were considered a single species until 2002, they were eventually split into different species: Buru babirusa, Bola Batu babirusa, North Sulawesi babirusa, and Togian babirusa.

The canines of female babirusas are either reduced or absent, but males have short lower canines and notable long upper canines.

While these long canines (or tusks) are usually ground down through daily activity, they will keep growing and eventually penetrate the male’s own skull if neglected!

Although babirusas are a protected species in Indonesia, poaching remains a significant threat to their survival.

This is further compounded by commercial logging operations which lead to habitat loss and reduced cover, making the babirusa even more exposed to poachers