Our male warty pig, Diwata – which means ‘a benevolent spirit’ in his native Philippine language – is a cheeky chap. Anybody travelling along the wooden walkway is sure to have a snout pointed in their direction to see exactly what is what!

These critically endangered island pigs have been loaned out by the Philippine government to a select few EAZA (European Association of Zoo’s) members as part of a very special breeding programme (or EEP studbook), and Blackbrook is lucky enough to be one of these.

Whilst we wait for a girlfriend to become available Diwata (Or Dewey)  is settling in next to his new neighbours on warty pig walk – a family group of meerkats! Our successful group of meerkats breed very regularly, and mum and dad have many previous litters of babies to help look after the youngest litter. They eat a very varied diet including chicken, fish, root vegetables, fruit and wriggly mealworms and other bugs! You can come watch our meerkats being fed every day at half past three!

Did you know?

• Male warty pigs grow a natural stiff ‘mohican’-style tuft of hair in breeding season, now that will attract the ladies!
• Warty pigs are named as each male develops three pairs of warts on their snout as they grow!
• Only one pair of meerkats in each group breed, the rest just share the duties!