~ 336 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2020; 8(5): 336-338 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 www.entomoljournal.com JEZS 2020; 8(5): 336-338 © 2020 JEZS Received: 13-07-2020 Accepted: 15-08-2020 Zosangpuii Assistant Professor, All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India J B Rajesh Assistant Professor (Veterinary Medicine) and Co PI, All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India H Lalliankimi SRF, All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram L Hmar Professor and Head, Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India NS Singh Associate Professor and Head, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding & Principal Investigator, All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India Elizabeth L Leihang All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India Corresponding Author: J B Rajesh Assistant Professor (Veterinary Medicine) and Co PI, All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India Phenotypic characterization of local pigs (Zovawk) in Mizoram Zosangpuii, J B Rajesh, H Lalliankimi, L Hmar, NS Singh and Elizabeth L Leihang DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/j.ento.2020.v8.i5e.7528 Abstract The Mizo local pigs (Zovawk) are small variety of pigs in which adult body weight ranges from 40-50 kg. It is a newly recognised pig breed of Mizoram by the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal (NBAGR). Scientific studies are scanty. Present study aimed to report the phenotypic characterisation of Zovawk. The whole body is covered by black hairs with a star forehead. The four limbs below the knee region are covered by white hairs. Zovawk pig attained puberty at 143.20±1.44 days in males and 120±1.18 days in females. Average litter size at birth and weaning were 7.5±0.01 and 6.17±0.007 respectively. Average litter weight (kg) at birth and weaning were 4.61±0.007 and 25.31±0.63 respectively. Average individual weight (kg) at birth and weaning were 0.61±0.016 and 4.41±0.16. Body weight (kg) at birth, weaning, five months, eight months and during first farrowing were found 0.61±0.016, 4.41±0.16, 12.65± 3.4, 23.79± 5.2 and 30.15± 2.6 respectively. The average age at first farrowing was 314.9±5.8 days. Keywords: Zovawk, mizoram, pig, phenotypic, characterisation Introduction Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes. It is one of the seven states of the north eastern India located between 21°58’ to 24°29’north latitude and 92°29’ to 93°22’ east longitude. Mizoram has a mild climate, comfortable in summer 20 to 29 °C (68 to 84 °F) and never freezing during winter, with temperatures from 7 to 21 °C (45 to 70 °F). The region is influenced by monsoons, raining heavily from May to September with little rain in the dry (cold) season. The average state rainfall is 254 centimetres per annum. Amongst the livestock, pig is most important and every family rears pig as backyard venture. The pig population of the state was 2.9 lakhs [4] and shows the highest percentage of growth in its population (19.26%). The cross bred and exotic population make up for 1,45,721 of the total population, the indigenous pig accounts for 1,71,883 of the total population. The Mizo local pigs (Zovawk) were small variety of pigs in which adult body weight ranges from 40-50 kg. It is recognised as a breed of pig by the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal (NBAGR). Literally, ‘Zo’ means Mizo and ‘Vawk’ means pig. It is said that the wild pigs of the oriental countries (East and South East) were the ancestor of Zovawk. This scavenging pig was with the Mizo people wherever they moved and these animals have been reared since time immemorial. Scientific studies related to these animals are scanty. Local people believe that pork from these pigs have medicinal properties and is a remedy for anaemia in people. Their resistance to diseases is high and seldom has problems regarding piglet anaemia, piglet diarrhoea, pneumonia, worm infestation, skin diseases and several bacterial and viral infections. Thus, they can survive well in remote areas where no adequate disease prevention and therapeutic measures exists. Materials and Methods The present study was conducted at All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram on data pertaining to 136 pigs (10 boars, 20 sows, 11 gilts and 956 piglets) maintained under intensive housing system during the year 2018-2019. The data related to body length, head length, chest girth, front height and rear height were recorded using standard methods from all the animals. The data were analysed using excel spread sheet and recorded.