The Salisbury Zoo is pleased to announce the arrival of a herd of five Chacoan peccaries, marking the first time this endangered species has been represented in the Zoo’s animal collection.
Although often associated with pigs, Chacoan peccaries are only distantly related and are sometimes referred to as “pig-adjacent.” Native to the Gran Chaco region of Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina, they inhabit hot, dry scrubland environments. Fewer than 3,000 individuals remain in the wild due to rapid habitat loss and fragmentation.
The new herd arrived from accredited zoos across the country as part of a cooperative species-management effort. Their transfer underscores the Salisbury Zoo’s continued commitment to wildlife conservation and to protecting both vulnerable species and the ecosystems they depend on.
“It is our privilege to care for these charismatic animals and to bring awareness to the plight of their wild counterparts,” Luke Krider, Salisbury Zoo Collection Curator said. “We are proud to contribute to long-term survival, sustainability and health of the Chacoan peccary in human care and in the wild.”
To prepare for their arrival, Salisbury Zoo staff completed extensive upgrades to the existing habitat, including perimeter fence replacements, foliage removal and the addition of outdoor holding yards to support safe and progressive introductions among group members.
The Zoo also collaborated with multiple contractors to update the interior holding building. Improvements include new metal shift doors for safe herd management, a new roof, new flooring to support optimal hygiene, a new HVAC system for year-round climate control and fresh exterior and interior paint. A newly installed public viewing window now allows guests to observe the species indoors in all seasons.
The Zoo extends its sincere thanks to Parker Block and DW Masonry for generously donating to the renovation of the interior holding space. Our sponsors support plays a critical role in creating modern, functional environment for the care of this species.
The Chacoan peccaries — Fern, Wilma, Anjie, Adzuki and Jelly — can now be seen in the South America habitat across the boardwalk from the American bison and greater rhea. Visitors are expected to quickly fall in love with the herd’s curiosity, love of mud wallows and their remarkable social bonding, a trait that helps the species survive predators such as jaguars in their native habitat.
Guests and community members who wish to support the Zoo’s continued conservation efforts — including future habitat improvements and participation in global programs — may make a contribution at https://salisburyzoo.org/support/donate/ .
