Fresno zoo warthog critical with liver illness

A warthog triplet at Fresno Chaffee Zoo is in critical condition at the zoo’s hospital, where he is being treated for a liver illness. Two of his siblings have died from liver failure in the past four months, according to a zoo spokesman.

The warthogs were born May 8, 2015.

The warthog, named Zuberi, is in stable condition, according to zoo officials. He was removed from the warthog exhibit on March 31 after he became ill. On Dec. 26, male piglet Kito died unexpectedly of what was diagnosed as liver failure. On March 9, female piglet Makena died of liver failure.

Staff at the zoo is seeking help from warthog experts around the nation, according to the spokesman. The symptoms reportedly are consistent with a plant-based toxin, but the source of the toxin has not been located.

Warthogs are a species of wild pig found in the desert and shrublands of Africa. They get their name from the fleshy warts on the side of their face that are actually protective bumps.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Fresno zoo warthog critical with liver illness."