ASSESSING THE EFFICIENCY OF ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE AND ARSENIC TRIOXIDE IN CONTROLLING THE INDIAN CRESTED PORCUPINE (HYSTRIX INDICA) IN AN IRRIGATED FOREST PLANTATION OR PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

The Indian crested porcupine, Hystrix indica, is widely distributed in the irrigated forests of Punjab, Pakistan and causes serious damage to trees, nursery stocking, field crops and vegetables. Field trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of aluminium phosphide (Phostoxin, 3g tablets) and arsenic trioxide bait (at 2.5g per apple) against the porcupine in a forest plantation. For fumigation with phostoxin, tablets were used at the rate of four, five, six and seven tablets per den. Observations showed that four tablets were ineffective, five and six tablets provided partial control, while seven tablets provided complete control of porcupines. Baiting with arsenic trioxide also resulted in 89 % reduction of the porcupine population occupying the treated dens.