Bizarre belief in bezoars threatens porcupines

Writer: Dr Anina Lee.

First it was abalone. Then elephant, rhino, lion, tiger and pangolin. And now apparently Africa’s largest rodent, the porcupine, is being targeted by poachers.

The demand is driven by the false conviction that parts of an animal will provide improved health or sexual performance.

Of course porcupines have been hunted for their meat for hundreds of years. Traditional healers say that the meat is in great demand for its healing properties. “We mix the offal together with our herbs and then burn it.” Sure, a good protein mixed with herbs would have healing properties. Porcupines are also targeted as vermin by many farmers to protect produce and fences.

Porcupine facts What do we know about our local porcupines? The African Wildlife Foundation provides a good introduction:

Click below to read more. (The full article can be found on page 16)