Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Javan Porcupine considered as one of endangered species protected under Indonesian law. Authorities in Indonesia arrested a local man from Bali, for illegally keeping Javan porcupines. The incident has drawn attention to the alarming decline in porcupine populations across the country, primarily driven by illegal hunting and poaching.
According to a 2021 study published in the journal Nature Conservation, Indonesia is home to five native species of porcupines. These species are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List with a classification of least concern, indicating a relatively low risk of extinction.
Several species of porcupines are protected in Indonesia, including the Javan porcupine (Hystrix javanica), the Sumatran porcupine (Hystrix sumatrae), and the thick-spined porcupine (Thecurus crassispinis). These species are native to the islands of Java, Sumatra, and parts of Borneo, where they inhabit forested regions.
The population of these porcupines has been steadily decreasing over the years, largely due to deforestation, habitat loss, and illegal poaching. While habitat destruction poses a long-term threat, illegal hunting has become the most immediate danger to their survival.
Why Are Javan Porcupine Being Hunted?
Porcupines in Indonesia are hunted for several reasons, but one of the main drivers is the demand for a rare object found inside their bodies, the porcupine bezoar stone. This stone, a hardened mass found in the digestive tract of some porcupines, is highly sought after in traditional medicine.
Porcupine bezoar stones, also known as “gallstones,” are hard masses that form in the digestive tracts of porcupines, typically as a result of the animal consuming indigestible plant matter. Over time, this material accumulates and hardens, creating a stone-like object.
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In traditional medicine, particularly in parts of Asia, these bezoar stones are believed to possess healing properties. They are said to detoxify the body and even treat illnesses such as cancer, although there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Despite the lack of proven medicinal properties, the belief in the healing power of bezoar stones persists, making them highly sought after in the black market.
The price of porcupine bezoar stones can be astronomical, with some stones selling for thousands of dollars per gram, depending on the size and quality. This high market value makes porcupines a lucrative target for poachers, exacerbating the threat to their population.
Consequences for the Ecosystem
The decline of Javan porcupine populations poses a significant threat to the ecosystems they inhabit. Porcupines play a vital role in their environments by helping to control plant growth and dispersing seeds, which promotes forest regeneration. The loss of these animals could disrupt the delicate balance of the forest ecosystems across Indonesia’s islands.
Conservationists are sounding the alarm about the need for stronger enforcement of wildlife protection laws. Despite being protected under Indonesian law, poaching and illegal trade continue to flourish, driven by both demand for exotic wildlife and traditional beliefs about the medicinal value of porcupine bezoar stones.
Efforts to Protect Porcupines
Indonesia has strict regulations under its Wildlife Conservation Law, which lists these porcupines as protected species. However, enforcement remains a challenge, particularly in rural areas where traditional practices and beliefs still encourage hunting.
Conservation groups are working with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of protecting porcupine species and discouraging the illegal wildlife trade. Public campaigns aim to shift cultural perceptions, particularly around the supposed medicinal value of the porcupine bezoar stone.
(Raidi/Agung)
