Babirussa (Latin Babyrousa babyrussa) - mammal of the family pig suborder of non-ruminants. This pig is so different from other pigs, which usually stands out in a separate subfamily, which is the only representative of a single kind of babiruss. Taxonomy of this type, however, still not developed. The word "babirussa" - Malay, it means "pig-deer". In the original it is written separately and with one letter «s» (babi rusa).
Babirussa found only on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and some nearby islands (it should highlight the kind of population on the island of Buru). Its range in the past, it seems, has never been greater than now.
Babirussa more often found only in northern Sulawesi, although she used to be plentiful on the island. In recent decades, its numbers fell sharply and continues to fall. The main reason - deforestation, habitat destruction. Local people hunt because babirussu delicious, low-fat meat and tusks, skin babirussy great value has because of its fragility. Babiruss, apparently left very little - about 4 million heads, so this species is listed in the International Red Book as vulnerable.
Sulawesi under the auspices of the Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia local government in cooperation with the scientific community has launched a special project to protect babiruss, which includes the creation of the reserve area of 800 hectares. However, the overall environmental measures in areas where babirussa usual, difficult to establish due to a lack of funds and the inaccessibility of the place. Unless things change, the further reduction of forests in Sulawesi, population growth and other factors such as these in the years to jeopardize the continued existence of babirussy in nature. Assist in maintaining Babirussa. This is very important.
