Northern Kenya is the most poorly known region in Eastern Africa as concerns the taxonomy, distribution, abundance, threats, and conservation status of its larger mammals. Nonetheless, this region is known to hold a high number of threatened species and subspecies. Among the larger mammals, 19 species of antelope are known to occur. During November 2025 to July 2026, we completed ‘Phase Three’ of the ‘Horn of Africa Antelope Survey’. Phase Three consisted of two field trips in northwestern Kenya covering as much of the land area as possible in the region west of Lake Turkana and Suguta Valley (i.e., west of the Eastern (Gregory) Rift Valley), north of Kainuk, east of the Uganda border, and south of the Elemi Triangle. In addition, we conducted two shorter surveys, one in far western Laikipia County (4 days) and one in the vicinity of the Merti Plateau (7 days), central Kenya. Diurnal surveys, nocturnal surveys, and camera trap surveys were conducted by two researchers (total of 47 field days; total distance driven 5,883 km).
Biogeography and conservation of desert warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus and common warthog Phacochoerus africanus (Artiodactyla: Suidae) in the Horn of Africa
There are two species of warthog in Africa, the common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and the desert warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus). The common warthog is widespread in sub-saharan Africa, including the Horn of Africa (i.e., Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea). The desert warthog, one of Africa’s least known large mammals, is restricted to the Horn of Africa. Its distribution is, however, poorly understood. Until recently, observers in the Horn of Africa have not differentiated between the two species of warthog. As such, the limits of the distributions of these two species over the Horn of Africa remains poorly known, as does their conservation status.
Adult male desert warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus in Tsavo West National Park, southeast Kenya. Note the flipped-back ear tips, hooked warts, broad, egg-shaped head, relatively broad snout-disc, and swollen suborbital area (area under the eyes). Photograph by Y. A. de Jong & T. M. Butynski.
Adult male common warthog Phacochoerus africanus on the Laikipia Plateau, central Kenya. Note the cone shaped warts, pointed ear tips, relatively narrow snout-disc, and the diabolo-shaped head. Photograph by T. M. Butynski & Y. A. de Jong.
To better understand the distribution of Africa’s warthogs, we would like to know if you have seen desert warthogs or common warthogs in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania. A photograph and details of your encounter (including date, coordinates, altitude…or detailed locality description) would be highly appreciated.
Please email your photographs and the details of your encounter, or post them in the ‘comments’ below. Thank you very much!
Yvonne de Jong, Thomas Butynski & Jean-Pierre d’Huart
For more information about the two species of warthog, including their diagnostic characters, see the following publications and websites
