HYDERABAD: Is the city facing a
porcupine invasion? Going by reports from the wildlife department, Hyderabad’s porcupine population is on the rise, with many research and educational institution campuses in the city claiming that porcupine numbers have increased.
One such porcupine has been giving staff and workers a tough time at upcoming new US consulate complex in
Nanakramguda, Financial district. Construction authorities at the US Consulate complex have approached the State wildlife wing for help. The state wildlife wing called on the experts at
Nehru Zoological Park to capture the porcupine. While the small mammals are primarily non-aggressive in self-defence, if they do react, their quills may hurt people or dogs. Placing priority on ensuring safety of the animal and workers also, the decision was made to capture porcupines found at the 12.3 acres site, where the thousand-plus member American and Indian workforce is involved in construction, and shift them out.
Telangana Wild Life Wing Officer on Special Duty A Shankaran told TOI,“As the construction is going on we have got a request seeking permission for removal of the porcupine for safety reason. We have entrusted the work of capturing and releasing the rescued animal in Chilkur forest area.
Zoo officials will make a visit to the campus.”
Officials cautioned that the porcupine may have been injured during digging and other construction works. “Usually porcupine won’t attack humans or the other animal. In self protection they do react. International Crop Research Institute for Semir Aird Tropics(ICRISAT) has a big number of porcupines. So far no porcupine attack incident has been reported. But for the safety of the animal and safety of the humans, it has to be relocated.”
“In Chilkur forest abutting the city, the porcupine population is significant. We often spot the droppings of the animal. Usually they are seen in all bushy and scrub forests. Zoo officials are working on making a special cage to capture this porcupine. Porcupines can’t be tranquilised, as even the smallest error in dosage will kill them,” he added.
Meanwhile, forest department are yet to capture a
leopard on the prowl near villages in Medak. Officials said sightings of the animal have decreased.
The state wildlife wing called on the experts at Nehru Zoological Park to capture the porcupine