Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2025 | 17(4): 26872–26878

 

ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) 

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9545.17.4.26872-26878

#9545 | Received 10 December 2024 | Final received 15 April 2025 | Finally accepted 17 April 2025

 

 

Distribution, perception, and conservation challenges of endemic Madras Hedgehog Paraechinus nudiventris in Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu: insights from questionnaire surveys

 

Brawin Kumar 1          & Abinesh Muthaiyan 2

 

1,2 Hedgehog Conservation Alliance, 4–58/2, South Street, Swamithoppu, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629704, India.

2 Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India.

1 brawinkumarwildlife@gmail.com (corresponding author), 2 abe.fosjc@gmail.com

 

                                

 

Editor: S.S. Talmale, Zoological Survey of India, Pune, India.        Date of publication: 26 April 2025 (online & print)

 

Citation: Kumar, B. & A. Muthaiyan (2025). Distribution, perception, and conservation challenges of endemic Madras Hedgehog Paraechinus nudiventris in Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu: insights from questionnaire surveys. Journal of Threatened Taxa 17(4): 26872–26878. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9545.17.4.26872-26878

 

Copyright: © Kumar & Muthaiyan 2025. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.

 

Funding: TAAL Tech India Private Limited.

 

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

 

Author details: Brawin Kumar’s research focuses on lesser known threatened small mammal ecology, population genetics, biogeography and field conservation. Abinesh Muthaiyan is a PhD scholar at Pondicherry University. His current research focuses on the behavioural ecology and habitat selection of the Madras Hedgehog, using ecological techniques to understand how this threatened species adapted to survive in highly fragmented and human-altered landscape.

 

Author contributions: BK & AM—field work and research design; BK—concept, funding acquisition, supervision and final review; AM—data collection, manuscript writing and data analysis.

 

Acknowledgements: We sincerely express our gratitude to the Tamil Nadu Forest Department for granting us the necessary permissions to conduct our fieldwork (proceedings number: WL5(A)31710/2021; permission no: 92/2022). We would like to thank IUCN Small Mammal Specialist Group and People’s Trust for Endangered Species for their support and encourgement. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms. Anitha Eswari and the dedicated team of volunteers who contributed in various stages of our fieldwork. We are deeply appreciative of our funding partner, TAAL Tech Private Limited, whose generous financial support made this project possible. We wish to acknowledge and thank all the local community members who generously shared their traditional knowledge and insights about the hedgehogs and their habitats. Their willingness to engage with us and contribute their perspectives enriched our understanding and significantly informed our study.

 

Abstract: The distribution patterns, recent sightings and people’s perception of the endemic small mammal, Madras Hedgehog Paraechinus nudiventris of Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu were identified through questionnaire surveys. This study gathered insights into the perceptions and interactions with 1,141 participants from 38 villages in Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu. A total of 867 respondents provided valuable information, revealing that 34% had observed hedgehogs in their villages. Notably, 38% people reported night as the optimal time for sighting and while only 11% reported sighting in the afternoon. The rainy season, chosen by 53% of respondents, emerged as the key period for hedgehog sightings, likely associated with hedgehog breeding and increased foraging opportunities. Therefore, the traditional medicinal applications of using various hedgehog body parts, raising critical concerns regarding hunting practices and the ethical treatment of these animals. The combined pressures of increased urbanization, habitat loss, and hunting are contributing to a potential decline in populations of the Madras Hedgehog. Reports of roadkill and poaching urges the need for conservation efforts. The reliance on hedgehogs in local remedies, particularly for conditions such as coughs and rheumatism, exacerbates the threats to their survival. Therefore, these factors necessitate immediate action to implement effective conservation strategies that address both the preservation of this endemic species and the ethical considerations surrounding its use in traditional practices.

 

Keywords: Biodiversity, community engagement, conservation strategies, ecological awareness, human-wildlife interaction, traditional knowledge, wildlife protection.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Small mammals are an important part of the global ecosystem, but there is a lack of data on their populations and the threats they face. This is partly due to their small size, nocturnal habits, and cryptic lifestyles, which make them difficult to study (Molur et al. 2005). Additionally, small mammals are often overlooked in conservation efforts, which tend to focus on larger, more charismatic animals. The lack of data on small mammals makes it difficult to assess the full extent of their decline for conservation strategies. Climate change, habitat fragmentation, and invasive species are some of the factors influencing their decline (Bertolino et al. 2015).

Tenkasi District, which was bifurcated from Tirunelveli District in the year of 2019 and emerged as the 33rd district in Tamil Nadu (Revenue Administration Jurisdiction, Bifurcation of Tirunelveli District (2019)), is located at the southern tip of the Western Ghats, serving as a haven for both flora and fauna. Adjacent to Tenkasi District, the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) and small pockets of reserve forest in the plains such as Uttumalai, Sivalar Kulam, and Mayamankurichi provide thriving habitats for faunal communities. The open grasslands and savannah in the region are characterized by tropical dry forests, tropical thorn forest and plains of vast expanses of low-lying vegetation, providing crucial habitats for a variety of wildlife. The tropical thorn forest exhibits an environment with petite, prickly trees that typically lose their leaves during the dry season. The ground level is comprised of lush, water-retaining plants, grasses adapted to arid conditions, and shrubs adorned with thorns. This region primarily receives its annual rainfall during the northeastern monsoon season (October–December) and faces dry from April to September. Notable species found in the tropical thorn forest area of this region include Acacia, Chloroxylon, Commiphora, and Dalbergia (Jha & Singh 1990). Historically, the Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus venaticus and Blackbucks Antilope cervicapra were recorded from the plains of this district, and now they are completely extinct (Rangarajan 1998). These grasslands not only support numerous plant and animal species but also provides a feeding ground for the cattle and livelihood for the communities (Image 1a). The mix of grasses and scattered trees, creating a unique ecosystem, is home to a rich assortment of flora and fauna, including grazing herbivores and the predators that rely on them for sustenance. These regions receive less rainfall, and vegetation tends to be adapted to the scarcity of water. Despite the challenging conditions, these areas still host an array of resilient plant species and wildlife specially adapted to the semi-arid climate, mainly small mammals.

The Madras Hedgehog belongs to the order Eulipotyphla of family Erinacidae, is one of India’s small mammals, and is known to occur in plains and semi-arid parts of southern India. Although it was widely distributed in the plains of Tamil Nadu and has restricted distribution in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, rigorous hunting of this species over a century throughout its range has led to a rapid and ongoing population collapse. It prefers open grasslands to forage; thorny scrubs and hedgerows to reproduce and nesting. Despite its ecological significance, this species faces numerous challenges, including habitat loss and illegal trade (Kumar & Nijman 2016; Kumar et al. 2018a,b). On the other hand, it is threatened by anthropogenic degradations, habitat loss and deforestation. Despite the widespread conversion of P. nudiventris habitat into agriculture, some small patches of grassland habitat still exist in agricultural fields as they are important for the population to survive (Kumar et al. 2018b). Nearly 70% of small mammal species in the Western Ghats of India are declining due to anthropogenic activities such as habitat loss, fragmentation, deforestation and mining (Nameer et al. 2001). Therefore, understanding their presence, perception and awareness in their habitat is crucial for future conservation efforts.

 

 

Methods

 

Questionnaires have been valuable in assessing the presence and absence of hedgehogs (Hof 2009; Hof & Bright 2012; Williams et al. 2015). Specific geographic surveys were used to identify regional distributions and historical sightings, aiding in presence determination. While negative responses are equally important (Sjöström et al. 1999) as when people report absence, it confirms where the species isn’t found, enhancing distribution mapping. Semi-structured questionnaires cover behaviour and activity, offering insights into ecological roles.

The results of a questionnaire survey were analysed that was conducted in 38 villages in Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu, involving 1,141 participants and aimed to assess various aspects, like the presence of Madras Hedgehogs and also their activity patterns. These locations include human-dominated areas, to gauge the local population’s perception of Madras Hedgehogs   (Figure 1).

Questionnaire surveys efficiently gather insights from local communities (Kitchenham & Pfleeger 2002; Sirivongs et al. 2012) from their extensive experience in the hedgehog’s habitat, which provides valuable data (Roopa & Rani 2012). The study area was classified into zones, such as villages and carried out random sampling surveys. Face-to-face interviews in the local language (Tamil) ensured effective communication, with prior informed consent from all respondents. The questionnaire covered respondent demographics, behavioural observations, traditional beliefs, presence and absence of hedgehogs, population changes, hunting, and recent sightings (pre- and post-2000). Microsoft Excel 2016 was used to analyse the data, while QGIS 3.32 LIMA was used for mapping the reported sightings in the listed villages.

 

 

Results

 

In this survey, 1,141 respondents from 38 villages participated between July 2021 and September 2023. It’s important to note that the data relies on self-reports, potentially influenced by recall bias. Filtering responses revealed that out of 867 participants, 295 (34%) reported Madras Hedgehog presence and 399 (46%) could distinguish Madras Hedgehogs from porcupines. As for preferred observation times, 104 (17%) suggested the early morning (0000–0600 h) in line with hedgehogs’ nocturnal habits, meanwhile, 125 (20%) favoured morning hours (0600–1200 h), 70 (11%) opted for afternoons (1200–1600 h), and furthermore, 78 (12%) preferred early evenings (1600–1800 h), capturing the transition from rest to activity. A majority of 233 (38%) chose night-time (1800–0000 h) to see hedgehogs, aligning with their nocturnal nature. The rainy season received the highest response (53%), possibly due to mating and the abundance of invertebrate prey. Winter (25.3%) also exhibited favourable conditions, with the summer season (21%) being the least favoured.

Regarding habitat, the species is exclusively found in the lowlands of the eastern region of the southern Western Ghats (Kumara et al. 2023). The respondents identified potential sighting locations as follows: 84 (11.1%) in rural villages, 150 (19.9%) in farmlands, 210 (27.9%) in scrublands, 245 (32.5%) in forest areas, and 63 (8.4%) on roads.

The utilization of hedgehog body parts is believed to have various traditional and medicinal purposes, with certain body parts believed to possess specific properties to deal with whooping cough and other abnormalities. A significant number of respondents, 250 people (38%), indicated that hedgehogs are hunted for their skins, and 268 people (41%) for their spines. This practice is often associated with the use of hedgehog spines and skins in the production of traditional medicines, which are highly valued and not only available in black markets in Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari of Tamil Nadu State; but also traded both locally and across states. Cultural and traditional beliefs in the efficacy of hedgehog spines for medicinal purposes, which aids in treating various diseases like whooping cough, asthma, stomach aches, ear aches, and childcare medicines, as well as ritualistic purposes. Dried skin is believed to keep evil spirits from entering the home. A notable number of 123 people (19%) acknowledged that hunting hedgehogs for meat consumption is still practiced. Additionally, 79 (9%) reported keeping hedgehogs as pets, and 275 (31%) acknowledged using hedgehog body parts for traditional medicines. While it’s essential to consider cultural and regional differences, this practice raises concerns about the ethical treatment of animals and potential impacts on local hedgehog populations (Figure 4).

Inadequate road signage and high-speed traffic elevate the risk of hedgehog roadkill due to their heat-basking behaviour, small size, and nocturnal habits (Image 1d).  Anthropogenic activities in hedgehog habitats in Ayikudy, Alangulam, and Surandai areas, pushing hedgehogs closer to human settlements, windfarms, and roads in search of food and shelter (Image 1e). Moreover, 106 respondents (12%) acknowledged poaching in this district, highlighting the urgent need for increased protective measures. Additionally, 126 people (28%) perceived hedgehogs as rare, which may be influenced by factors like habitat loss, hunting, and environmental changes impacting hedgehog populations and biodiversity (Hof & Bright 2012). This indicates a decline in hedgehog sightings over the years from 2000 to 2023 due to various anthropogenic activities. The species is protected under Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amendment 2022); urgent conservation measures such as habitat protection, population research, prohibition of hunting and trading, as well as awareness campaigns for hedgehog conservation are necessary to reverse this declining trend.

 

 

Table 1. List of villages included in this survey.

 

Surveyed villages in Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu

GPS Co-ordinates

1

Ammaiyapuram

9.009, 77.447

2

Anavankudiyuruppu

8.720, 77.368

3

Arunachalapuram

9.101, 77.424

4

Avadaiyanoor

8.880, 77.386

5

Chinakumarpatti

8.856, 77.404

6

Chinanadanur

8.885, 77.399

7

Ilnaji

8.960, 77.278

8

Kalluthoor

8.902, 77.461

9

Kandapatti

8.815, 77.513

10

Karisalur

8.868, 77.405

11

Karumbanoor

8.855, 77.468

12

Karuthalingapuram

8.844, 77.405

13

Kulayaneri

9.006, 77.430

14

Gunaramanallur

8.931, 77.343

15

Malayankulam

9.146, 77.600

16

Mathalambaarai

8.906, 77.378

17

Mayamankurichi

8.893, 77.511

18

Mylapuram

8.779, 77.430

19

Nannagaram

8.945, 77.292

20

Nellaiyappurem

8.863, 77.417

21

Nettur

8.918, 77.531

22

Pa. Elanthakulam

9.126, 77.597

23

Pethanadarpatti

8.886, 77.408

24

Podiyunoor

8.881, 77.382

25

Poolangulam

8.861, 77.427

26

Pudupatti

8.835, 77.502

27

Salaiputhur

8.893, 77.422

28

Chellathayarpuram

8.872, 77.413

29

Sivalarkulam

8.868, 77.527

30

Sivalingapuram

8.913, 77.478

31

South Mylappuram

8.775, 77.431

32

Subramaniyapuram (Kattur)

8.985, 77.258

33

Thippanampatti

8.903, 77.375

34

Thirikoodapuram

9.125, 77.356

35

Thuppakudi

8.773, 77.445

36

Thuthikulam

8.910, 77.475

37

Vadamalaipatti

8.841, 77.425

38

Velliyammalpuram

9.015, 77.324

 

 

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