Porcupines spotted in city surprise enthusiasts

Nagpur: For wildlife enthusiast Siddharth Khandagale, spotting two elusive Indian crested porcupines (Hystrix indica) near Dharampeth Science College, close to Ambazari T-Point, was an extraordinary occurrence on Sunday at midnight. Porcupines are inherently timorous creatures, and their presence in a densely populated locality like Ambazari is remarkable.Khandagale told TOI that he captured footage of the porcupines scampering with their erected sharp quills adjacent to the college on the footpath. "I was returning home at 1.30am when I spotted these rodents. They subsequently disappeared through a drain. I shared the video with my friends, but they forwarded it across various social media groups, astounding wildlife enthusiasts. The presence of these creatures was unprecedented in this densely-populated area," said Khandagale.The nocturnal Indian crested porcupine is protected under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. However, due to the threat of habitat loss and poaching, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2022 elevated the porcupine's protection to Schedule I.Former IFS officer Nishikant Jadhav, Raj Nagar, said porcupines inhabit hilly areas and forest peripheries with rocks and shrubs. They construct burrows extending up to 13 metres in length. These rodents are predominantly herbivorous, consuming fruits, roots, grains, tubers, and bulbs. They also gnaw on bones for calcium.A regular morning walker, Jadhav said, "During the Covid lockdown, when I visited Seminary Hills during the early hours, I observed porcupines numerous times near the Parsi cemetery and the road towards Balodhyan. Now it is documented. It warrants investigation if these creatures are present elsewhere in the city."The Indian crested porcupine is India's largest rodent. They are hunted for bush meat and utilized in traditional medicine. They are also deemed pests in numerous regions as they damage crops and gardens.The IUCN Red List categorises the porcupine as a species of ‘least concern'. However, they remain understudied and susceptible to mortality. Khandagale speculated the animals might be breeding in dense plantations within nearby VNIT premises adjoining the Ambazari crematorium.