Rare Choctaw hogs, unique to southeastern Oklahoma, are centuries old, but now number less than 100. Efforts are underway by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) to preserve the breed.

"Jim Stephens, Antlers, Okla., has offered to let us set up a breeding group on his ranch to be run by Brian Rickman," says Jeannette Beranger, ALBC. "Stephens already hosts more than 100 Choctaw horses that belong to Rickman. We are raising funds to buy the pigs and cover costs like fencing, feed and other items."

Currently three people are known to keep the hogs on their farms, hunting and processing them for their own use. Originally, the Choctaw hog was brought to Mississippi from Spain. Later they were brought to Oklahoma by members of the Choctaw tribe when they were relocated from the east.

Choctaw hogs are described as "smart, hardy and agile". They are self-sufficient in foraging and mothering.

"The biggest boars are around 250 to 300 lbs., and sows get to 200 to 250 lbs.," says Beranger. "Litters of 8 to 10 vigorous piglets are pretty normal with high survivability in captivity."

Beranger says the free ranging pigs are under pressure from feral hogs moving into the area and from crossbreeding. The ALBC, with the help of old-timers in the area, have identified those most likely to be purebred.

"To be considered Choctaw hogs, they must have small mule feet and wattles and be spotted or solid, not striped," says Beranger.
The ALBC effort will include documenting the animals going into the program, checking health status and maintaining genetic diversity. Eventually, it?s hoped that breeding animals will be available for sale.

"We are hoping to get pigs on the ground and available for sale in a few years to stewards who will maintain and grow the breed," says Beranger. "Right now we need funding to set up the breeding farm. We hope this effort will be as successful as the Ossabaw hog program has been. Lots of people are raising them now."