Abstract
Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) is widely distributed and a serious mammal pest of trees,
agricultural crops, orchards and vegetables in different environments of Pakistan. Trials were
conducted to evaluate the efficacy of aluminium phosphide (phostoxin; 3 g tablets) against Indian
crested porcupine, in the field conditions of Bannu district of Pakistan. Results reflected that in case
of cropland fumigation trials, two tablets of phostoxin were not effective in reduction of porcupine
burrow activity in small sized burrows, while 66.7% reduction could be achieved by applying four
tablets. A 100% reduction in burrow activity was recorded in case of medium and large sized
burrows, where 6 – 12 tablets were applied. In the non-cropland area, in case of small sized burrows,
two tablets of phostoxin could not be effective in reduction of burrow activity, while in case of four
tablets, only, 33.4% reduction could be achieved. Similarly, in case of medium and large sized
burrows, 6 – 10 tablets were effective in 100% reduction of porcupine burrow activity. It is suggested
that aluminum phosphide fumigation is effective in controlling porcupine population in the cropland
and non-cropland areas, if the fumigation dose is optimized.
