The pig is a hybrid species that arises from crosses between wild boar and Vietnamese pigs that have been abandoned or released into the wild. This new species is a mixture of wild boar and Vietnamese pig in many aspects, from the physical, which combines characteristic features of both, to the behavioral ones.
However, the appearance on the scene of the perrolí is accompanied by strong controversy, due to the fact that it has been considered an invasive species. On our site we talk about the origin of this species, we explain the characteristics of the pigand much more, don't miss it!
Origin of the pig
Percholí is a species whose origin is somewhat controversial, and not because it is unknown, although there are no records about when the first piglets were born. The controversy stems from the parent breeds, since the pig is the result of crossing a wild boar with a Vietnamese pig
And where is the controversy then? simply because the Vietnamese pigs arrived in countries like Spain as imported pets, being a non-native species, since it comes from Asia, which when crossed with one that is, generates a new species, which, as has happened in various Spanish regions, it can become an invasive species.
Also, the most controversial of all is the way in which Vietnamese pigs have become wild in these regions where they do not originate. The wild Vietnamese pigs, whose crosses with wild boars gave rise to the pig, were pet animals abandoned after getting tired of them, due to ignorance of their real needs or because they were adopted out of fashion and without any responsibility. This lack of commitment on the part of many people has led to the emergence of this new species, which despite being curious and novel, has also been very problematic for the habitats in which it lives.
Main characteristics of the pig
The pig has inherited different aspects from its parent species. For example, its size is more similar to that of the wild boar, because while a Vietnamese pig is usually around 40-50 kilograms of body weight, the wild boar ranges from 70-90 kg, somewhat closer to 80 kilograms in the pig, especially in males. However, experts point out that there is great variability in its size and that it is usually somewhat smaller, especially in height, than the wild boar.
It usually has a long and abundant coat, of a dark color, although given the differences between specimens it is not surprising to find some that they are practically hairless. There are also noticeable differences in its snout, with both pigs having a long, thin snout, characteristic of wild boars, and a short snout, similar to that of the Vietnamese pig.
Pergots are very prolific animals in terms of reproduction, since it is estimated that a female pig has an annual reproduction rate of between 14 and 16 offspring. This is more similar to the reproduction of the pig than to that of the wild boar, whose litters, often only one per year, are between 3 and 4 boars.
Pig habitat
Percholí has been appearing in more and more zones and regions of Spain, among which are: Navarra, the Valencian Community, Aragon, Asturias, Castilla y León or Madrid. In general, it has arisen in those regions where there are larger populations of wild boar, which are those that have interbred with Vietnamese pigs, previously domesticated.
In this way, the pig lives in the same habitat as the wild boar, but with certain differences. For example, the controversial episodes between pigs and farmers stand out because Vietnamese pigs, being a domesticated species, have lost their fear of contact with humans. In this way, while wild boars avoid populations and plantations, the pig does not hesitate to approach them in search of sustenance, sometimes causing considerable damage.
Feeding the piglí
The pig consume all kinds of food, whether of animal or vegetable origin, since it is an omnivorous animal. It consumes large amounts of food, much more compared to wild boars, a fact that is one of the reasons why it has been considered an invasive species. This is because its greater consumption of resources causes greater wear on the habitat in which it is found. Some of the most consumed resources are fruits, such as chestnuts or acorns, cereals and grains, roots and tubers, and mushrooms or fruit. Sources of animal origin include snails, snakes or insects, as well as carrion and small mammals.
In addition, it is not uncommon to see pigs resorting to crops and plantations to obtain their food, which generates many conflicts between these animals, which only seek the resources they need to survive, and farmers, who see their crops ruined after hard and arduous work.
Current situation of the pig in Spain
The pig is, unfortunately, an invasive species in Spain, which has proliferated in recent times due to its high reproductive rate, with more than 12 offspring per year per couple. This has led to an overpopulation of wild boar, Vietnamese wild pigs and hogs. This whole situation has led to the taking of different types of measures. Some of them, the most respectful and ecological, have proposed the adoption of the pigs as a solution, something complex given their feral nature, or a radical ban on the commercialization of Vietnamese pigs to prevent further abandonment of these poor animals.
In addition to the above measures, it should be mentioned that in various places where the species is considered to be in conflict, raids have been authorized against it, the Vietnamese pig and wild boar, which implies death of many specimens, who only lived as best they could in order to survive. Their hunting has also been authorized by the hunters' guild, as has happened in Navarra, where they have been given the green light to shoot down the swine.
Finally, it should be noted that the authorities state that the priority is to avoid the abandonment of more domestic specimens of Vietnamese pigs, praying that if they cannot take care of them, they resort to protection and recovery centers fauna to avoid these problems with such a tragic outcome.
