I guess there's no species in North America that isn't threatened by some sort of new virus? But anyway, porcupines are mostly encountered by hunters I think and I was brought up to consider them emergency survival food; we weren't supposed to kill them because they were the one animal that a lost human could easily kill for food- you were supposed to punch them on the nose. Never tried it myself.
As far as the virus goes, I'm sure the government can save them if they can get them to wear the little masks.
Virus that threatens porcupines turns up in Maine
By Associated Press
Published: Jan. 11, 2022 at 10:52 AM EST
BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) - At least three porcupines in Maine have died from a virus that wildlife experts say could pose a threat to the population of the spiky rodents.
The Bangor Daily News reports five porcupines had to be rushed to Acadia Wildlife in Bar Harbor during a week this fall because of illness. Three died. Biological samples later diagnosed the porcupines with skunk adenovirus 1, which was first seen in a skunk in Canada in 2014 and has since been spotted in other mammals.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is now working with wildlife researchers, rehabilitators, and trappers to study the virus.
https://www.wcax.com/2022/01/11/vir...GyFF79yQ-w0EmhzoSLAroLWwsIfmpl7OrDr14_jKVPN3Q
As far as the virus goes, I'm sure the government can save them if they can get them to wear the little masks.
Virus that threatens porcupines turns up in Maine
By Associated Press
Published: Jan. 11, 2022 at 10:52 AM EST
BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) - At least three porcupines in Maine have died from a virus that wildlife experts say could pose a threat to the population of the spiky rodents.
The Bangor Daily News reports five porcupines had to be rushed to Acadia Wildlife in Bar Harbor during a week this fall because of illness. Three died. Biological samples later diagnosed the porcupines with skunk adenovirus 1, which was first seen in a skunk in Canada in 2014 and has since been spotted in other mammals.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is now working with wildlife researchers, rehabilitators, and trappers to study the virus.
https://www.wcax.com/2022/01/11/vir...GyFF79yQ-w0EmhzoSLAroLWwsIfmpl7OrDr14_jKVPN3Q
