The economic importance and control of cane-rat (Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck)

Cane-rat/grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck) is both a pest of crops in Nigeria and a source of animal protein especially in Western and Central Africa. Cane-rat damages several crop species including rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays), cassava (Manihot spp.), yam (Dioscorea spp.), sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), pineapple (Ananas comosus), sugarcane (Saccharium officinarum), guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor), millet (Eleusine coracana) and palm tree (Elaeis guineensis), in the savanna and in the rainforest ecological zones of Nigeria. Rice and cassava were found damaged in both wet and dry seasons of the year. Maize, millet, and guinea corn were usually damaged during wet periods. The annual production of meat of cane-rat exclusively from hunting in Benin is valued at 500 tons, this being about 200,000 heads and does not represent more than 65% of the estimated demands of the Beninese populations. Total revenue from bush meat in 1997 in Ghana was $247m, while cane-rat accounted for 70% of this. The cane-rat can be reared in captivity with minimal capital outlay. Its high prolificacy and fecundity makes it a meat source of high potential to bridge the gap in animal protein deficiency which currently averages 4.82g/head/day in Nigeria as compared to a recommendation of 35g/head/day for an adult. During the pesting activities of cane-rat, they were readily cropped in an attempt to control the pesting problems. The animals were cropped in farmlands during the rainy season and from wild land during the dry season. Fencing, trapping, dog hunting, shooting, clubbing, pitfalls, and use of charms were some of the various methods used by rural people to control pesting activities of cane-rat on farms. There is need to develop both a strategy for effective control of the cane-rat and improving the management in captivity for breeding purposes