Effectiveness of Grain Based Bait as Carrier of Strychnine Alkaloid for the Control of Indian Crested Porcupine, Hystrix indica

Field trials were conducted in Abbottabad - Balakot tract of the northern Pakistan for testing the effectiveness of groundnut – maize grain bait in delivering the lethal amount of strychnine alkaloid in controlling the Indian crested porcupine, Hystrix indica, during 2006-07. Indian crested porcupine is a severe forest and agricultural pest throughout southern Asia and the Middle East, including Pakistan. The results suggested that in case of pre-baiting trial, a 25% reduction in burrow activity was achieved in case of groundnut – maize (1:1) grain bait loaded with 2% strychnine alkaloid and supplemented with 5% saccharin and a 10% reduction could be achieved without saccharin supplementation. In case of without pre-baiting trial, a 10% reduction in burrow activity was recorded in case of saccharin supplemented groundnut – maize grain bait impregnated with strychnine alkaloid; while no reduction was recorded in case of no saccharin supplementation. The results of the study suggested that strychnine alkaloid is not an effective rodenticide for the control of Indian crested porcupine at least with the present bait and conditions. Further trials with low concentrations of strychnine alkaloid and decreasing the poison-baiting duration are suggested.