Places of Sighting:
The Bornean bearded pigs often can be spotted within the compound of the National Park Headquarters at Teluk Assam Beach. In general, their sightings can occur at any time during the day, hence just get your camera ready.

Description:
Weighing anywhere between 60-80kg and sometimes exceeding 120kg, the Bornean bearded pigs are the largest mammals that one can see in Bako National Park. Demographically, they are endemic to South East Asia, especially in Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines. With a scientific name of Sus barbatus, they form a species of pig with distinctive beard of bristles lining both sides of their snouts.

More often than not, the Bornean bearded pigs are the first wild animal to be sighted by arriving visitors to the park. Their appearance around the lawns of the Park HQ occasionally causes quite a stir among the tourists who are delighted with the sighting. The bearded pigs are generally unperturbed by the presence of human beings around them. They are often seen scavenging on the grass for tree roots, small herbs, fruits, seeds and earth worms.

Unlike wild boars (Sus scrofa) which are aggressive and possess piercing tusks, Bornean bearded pigs are relatively tame and somewhat adorable. They are not known to attack humans, hence you can try to get as close as you can to take a photograph of them. If you are staying at Bako Park Lodge as I did, a bearded pig may occasionally visit your lodging compound in search of food on the ground. It can get as close as the staircase of your room but it is not known to trespass onto the veranda. In short, one should not feel threatened with its presence since the bearded pig often continues to graze in the grass and is oblivious to almost everybody.