Pig death reports spark concern in Nukuma

Communities in the Nukuma Census Division of Ambunti–Drekikier are calling for urgent action following growing reports of pigs dying in the area.

Initial concerns were raised last week when a resident posted in the Ambunti Destiny WhatsApp group, sharing evidence of a dead pig and warned that both domesticated and wild pigs appeared to be dying.

Those fears were further confirmed yesterday when another photograph of a dying domesticated pig was shared in the same WhatsApp group, strengthening community concerns that the situation may be worsening.

Ambunti–Drekikier MP Johnson Wapunai responded to the reports last Thursday, 4th December 2025.

Wapunai posted in the Ambunti Destiny WhatsApp group:

“Update from the Port Manager Wewak as of this morning the Animal Division in NAQIA Headquarters in Waigani is meeting today to give further instructions for the Wewak office to facilitate the investigation on the pig dying case in the Nukuma area.”

When contacted by NBC News today, the NAQIA office in Wewak confirmed they are awaiting further advice from their headquarters in Port Moresby before deploying officers to investigate the situation on the ground.

NBC also attempted to get comments from the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority’s Disease Control and Surveillance Team, but was unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, people in Nukuma are urging responsible authorities to move quickly to identify the cause of the pig deaths and prevent further losses that could affect food security, cultural obligations, and community livelihoods.