Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 135, March 2016, pp. 1-20. | Page 17

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Population
There are eight species in the genus Hystrix, only two of which are found outside
of Asia. The crested porcupine is widespread in Africa and Italy. Although it is
favored in many parts of its range as food, its conservation status is set at least
concern (Wikipedia).

Range
The crested porcupine is found in Italy, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. In
the Mediterranean it is known from mainland Italy and the island of Sicily,
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia; there are also records from Libya, and along the
Egyptian coast. It has been recorded from sea level to 2550 m in Moroccan Anti
Atlas. It is sometimes asserted that the porcupine was introduced to Italy by the
Romans, but fossil and sub fossil remains suggest it was possibly present in
Europe in the Upper Pleistocene (Wikipedia).

Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf-von Jaffa and his beloved daughter
Nora Norman Ali Khalaf and the Researcher Mr. Daoud Al-Hali are standing infront of
the Natural History Museum in Al-Baq’a Suburb, West Jerusalem, Occupied Palestine.
27.07.2014. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/14941407763/

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 135 – March 2016