Welcome, little piggies.
An 8-year-old warthog delivered her fifth liter of piglets Thursday at Zoo Atlanta. But two of the four piglets are in grave condition, the zoo said today.
Mother Shirley's latest pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound in February. The gestation period for warthogs averages five to six months, a zoo spokeswoman said.
"We're thrilled about these new arrivals, particularly since Shirley's piglets are something we've come to associate with the beginning of spring and an exciting new season at Zoo Atlanta," Raymond B. King, zoo president and CEO, said in an emailed statement. "Over the years, we've also had an opportunity to see firsthand what fun warthog piglets are, and we can't wait to introduce these little guys to our members and guests."
Infant mortality is not uncommon for warthogs in their early days of life, and the newborns remain under careful observation. The surviving warthogs will have the opportunity to bond with their mother privately before being introduced to their father, 8-year-old Vern.
Warthog fathers tend to be uninterested in their offspring, but Vern has shown he likes to hog some time with the little ones, the zoo said.
The piglets are expected to be on display later this spring.
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