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

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.