Copenhagen Zoo - Babirusa/pig hybrids

In august 2006, a world sensation was born in Copenhagen Zoo. Three young babirusa/pig hybrids. These may have changed genetic research as we know it, since sientist did not believe that two such different species could breed.
This is a photo of three piglets. As you can see, one is babirusa coloured, one is a mix of pale and grey, and the last one is just pale.
Taken in Copenhagen Zoo, 2006.

The brown one looks a bit like a red river hog to me.

Why did they breed hybrides of such an endangered species???

It was never our intention. That is what is so special about these piglets. In theory, these piglets are not possible!

Our male babirusa had been living alone for a while ever since the female died of old age (after lots of successfull breeding). Just to give him some company he lived with two female domestic pigs. Suddenly, one of them gave birth. Scientists from all over the world have been here to study the little wonders.

The babirusa male also died last year, 20 years old.

@Toddy: Interspecific hybridisation among animals is nothing new and remarkable; you might have encountered already one or two, like mules or red canary birds.
What's remarkable about this cross is something else: it is one of the first recorded hybridisation across genera (and even subfamilies) in higher mammals.

what happened to these two? are there any pic of them now?

Sun Wukong said:

@Toddy: Interspecific hybridisation among animals is nothing new and remarkable; you might have encountered already one or two, like mules or red canary birds.
What's remarkable about this cross is something else: it is one of the first recorded hybridisation across genera (and even subfamilies) in higher mammals.

Click to expand...

One of the other (very famous) examples was "Motty", the hybrid Asian/African elephant born at Chester Zoo.
Welcome to Hybrid Elephant
Motty the african and asian elephant crossbreed