Coconut (<i>Cocos nucifera</i>) Damage by Wild Pig (<i>Sus scrofa</i>) and Indian Crested Porcupine (<i>Hystrix indica</i>) in Central Kerala, India

Abstract

Crop damage by wild animals is a serious concern faced by marginal farmers in Kerala. As the farmers cultivate a variety of cash crops namely coconut ( Cocos nucifera ), arecanut ( Areca catechu ) and rubber ( Hevea brasiliensis ) in the immediate fringe areas of the forest, damage and consumption of the fallen coconuts by wild pig ( Sus scrofa ) and Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) is a serious issue. Both the species are distributed in all the forest types in India and reported as frequent crop raiders in Kerala.