TWO of the rarest pigs in the world have been born at Chester Zoo.

The birth of a pair of babirusa piglets is being hailed as ‘positive news for the future of the species’ – with wild populations in serious decline in their native Indonesia.

Keeper Phil Molyneux said: “Babirusa pigs are highly threatened and are one of the rarest pig species on the planet.

“Our new arrivals add significantly to the world’s population and that’s why these births are so important and are such a great achievement.

“Zoos provide the last insurance policy against extinction and we hope the duo will grow up to become a vital part of the international breeding programme to safeguard the species.

“These new-borns are really exciting for us and positive news for the future of the species.”

The two piglets were born seven weeks ago to mum Majene and dad Sausu and visitors to the zoo will be able to see them in a few months’ time when they have further developed.

In the wild, the species has seen numbers plummet largely because of habitat loss through logging and hunting for their meat.