Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science., Vol. LVI
Written by B. TULUNG, J.F. UMBOH, A.F. PENDONG
Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa celebensis) is one of the endemic biodiversity of Sulawesi which is currently being very worrying population. The present study was designed to reveal habitat conditions, morphology and anatomy as well as complementary biological apparatus, feed resources, nutrition, as well as reproduction. Study was conducted in tropical rain forest of northern part of Sulawesi, where babirusa still extant. In general, species composition and community structure observed in the location illustrated that there was no particular plant species which is more dominant than others at each plant level. Babirusa is a non-ruminant foregut-fermenting frugivore (concentrate selector). Sexual maturity of either male or female babirusa is 5-10 months, with litter size 1-2 piglets. Birth weight of babirusa piglet is about 0.75 kg, suckling period of piglet is 1 month with mortality rate is 0,8%, and reproductive period after productive age is 7 years. Pangi fruit (Pangium edule) is a dominant feedstuff consumed by babirusa. It can be concluded that reproduction rate of babirusa is very low. Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa celebensis) habitat being a primary forest with a characteristic of Pangi fruit (Pangium edule) dominated the vegetation community in babirusa habitat.
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Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa celebensis)
