Syrian porcupine under risk as hunting mounts

(Eqtsad)- It has been a habit of shepherds and hunting enthusiasts to kill wild porcupines in Syria, whether for meat or for medicinal properties in treating illnesses like arthritis, according to the hunters.

Geographically, the wild porcupine species is spread all along the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan and the Maghreb. Some Arab countries, including Syria, has banned their hunting.

A few days ago, the media reported that three Syrian shepherds were fined 40,201 TRY ($7 thousand) by Turkish authorities for hunting the endangered animal, after they were caught by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks in the Salali region, Manisa.

Before the Syrian war, the Syrian regime issued many laws regarding the prevention of wild hunting with a small financial fine. These sanctions did not deter hunters, and the law against carrying weapons did not limit the access to hunting weapons.

A number of hunters told Eqtsad about the different methods used in hunting porcupines, which includes using weapons, cage traps using its preferred food like fruits and bread, and hunting dogs. According to Daowd al-Barghash, hunter, the porcupine is most difficult to hunt when the female is with her pups, turning feral to protect her children.

Due to its overhunting and relentless chase, the species’ population has decreased in Syria posing an extinction risk, with the regime's continued negligence in controlling or limiting it, as it has failed in containing other hunting practices throughout the country.

The wild porcupine lives in wild areas like Waer Dam as well as mountainous and coastal areas and caves. It is a large rodent with its shoulders around 30-40 cm above ground. Most porcupines are over 70 cm long and can reach up to 22 kg. Their bodies are covered with sharp quills that protect them from other animals. Usually, it is a peaceful animal and does not attack anyone, but when forced to defend itself, it can push the fiercest animals to retreat. They reproduce during the spring season, with the female giving birth to around five babies at a time. The porcupine feeds on herbs, tree trunks, and wild plants, which, according to the hunter, makes its meat a cure for joint and bone diseases.