Reproductive performance of the wild white-lipped peccary (tayassu pecari) female in the Peruvian Amazon

The ability of any species to support high hunting pressures depends on its reproductive efficiency. Based on the gross anatomic examination of 208 adult female reproductive tracts, we characterised the reproductive biology of the wild white-lipped peccary in the northeastern Peruvian Amazon. White-lipped peccary apparently bred year round in the northeastern Peruvian Amazon, and the number of pregnant females was 80 (38.4%). Mean ovulation rate was 2.09±0.47 CLs, and litter size was 1.60±0.49 embryos or foetuses per pregnant female. A phenomenon of embryo migration was observed in the 27.5% of pregnant females. Estimations suggest 0.89 births per year and a yearly reproductive production of 1.42 piglets per pregnant female. Females in the late pregnancy stage showed a higher hunting vulnerability that could be an important restrictive factor for the reproductive efficiency of the wild white-lipped peccary populations in the Peruvian Amazon. © Springer-Verlag 2009.