Lola, the red river hog   Scientific name:   Potamochoerus porcus pictus Animal Type:   Mammal Location:   West and Central Africa (Benin; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo; DR Congo; Côte d'Ivoire; Equatorial Guinea; Gabon; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Liberia; Mali; Nigeria; Senegal; Togo; Uganda) Conservation Status:   Least Concern Diet:   Root vegetables       In summer, her favourite treat is fish ice lollies.

Lola, the red river hog

Lola is a true showgirl. These animals are often described as the fashion statements of the pig world due to their rust coloured coats, highlighted by a white stripe down their spine, face markings and tasselled ear tips.

Lola has a healthy appetite and loves most root vegetables. She is very intelligent & knows exactly how to get peanuts out of her enrichment ball.

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Red river hog Profile

The Red River Hog has striking red fur, with black legs and a tufted white stripe along the spine. They have white face markings around the eyes and on the cheeks and jaws; the rest of the muzzle and face are a contrasting black. The fur on the jaw and the flanks is longer than on the body.

Adults weigh 45 to 115 kilograms (99 to 250 lb) and stand 55 to 80 centimetres (22 to 31 in) tall, with a length of 100 to 145 centimetres (39 to 57 in). The thin tail is 30 to 45 centimetres (12 to 18 in) long. The boar is somewhat larger than the sow. Males have recognisable humps or lumps on both sides of the snout and rather small, sharp tusks.

The Red River Hog is mostly nocturnal. By day, they hide in dense brush. After sunset they roam in troops searching for food. The Red River Hog is a good swimmer but is unable to hold its breath for long. They live in small troops of four up to twenty animals, comprising a male (boar), some adult sows and their piglets. The boar defends its harem aggressively against carnivores; the leopard is its most important enemy. Different troops merge occasionally to form groups of up to sixty animals.

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Threats and challenges to the red river hog

The diversity of this species is that they share gorilla habitat in areas like Mbeli Bai a 13 hectare large swampy forest clearing in the southwest of the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in Republic of Congo.    

Although considered to be a ‘lower risk’ species, numbers of red river hogs are declining rapidly in some areas due to the fact that they are heavily targeted for bush meat. They are also often viewed as pests by local farmers in their natural habitat in Western and Central Africa.

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Durrell's involvement with the red river hog

Although we do not work with this species in-situ, our red river hogs serve to raise awareness of the devastating impact that the illegal bush meat trade is having on them, and other neighbouring species, including the gorilla in Western and Central Africa. Durrell is now part of the red river hog EEP, and we are due to receive a young male very soon with a view to contributing to a controlled breeding programme.

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Adoption packs

Adopters will receive an adoption folder containing the following based on Lola, the red river hog:

What's included Bronze Silver Gold A certificate Photograph Fact sheet Birth certificate Animal stickers Two issues of our ‘On the Edge’ magazine per year Regular news via our electronic newsletter ‘eNews’ Complimentary ticket to visit Durrell wildlife park in Jersey Your name listed on our website - Updates about your animal per year - A chance to enjoy a tour with one of our experienced volunteer tour guides, and spend time with your animal and their keeper - - All for just £3 pm £10 pm £55 pm

*Per month

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Where will my red river hog donation money go?

Our dedicated conservationists can continue to work tirelessly in threatened habitats in our strategic conservation areas of islands and highlands worldwide. They will also battle to protect and conserve as much wildlife as they can.

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Please pay for your adoption by Direct Debit if you can. Direct Debits are cheaper for us to administer, letting us spend more of your money on our vital conservation work. Direct Debits are also better for you because payments are made automatically and can be spread across the year and you won't be bothered with renewal forms. It will simply roll over until you request otherwise. However, you can make a single payment if you prefer.

Click here to view and print the direct debit payment form » » | or download it »

Or use the fom below to make a single payment...