A ground-dwelling quilled resident at Natureland Wildlife Trust dug into a special baked treat and a fruit and vegetable mountain to mark becoming the oldest porcupine in Aotearoa.
Diallo the cape porcupine celebrated his 20th birthday on Saturday with parkgoers, staff and his spiky friend, Akoko, who turns 16 in the coming months.
Animal care team leader, Jos Kater, says the occasion was “quite a milestone”.
“We’re very happy he’s been living so long because porcupines, and especially cape porcupines which come from the southern parts of Africa, generally live up to 22 years-old,” he says.
“Every day we check on his general behaviour and for any signs of illness and he seems to be all good… we’ll make sure he has a good life for the rest of his years. I’m happy that people came in to celebrate his special day being the oldest porcupine in New Zealand.”
Jos says Diallo was born in England in 2003 before transferring to New Zealand in 2006. He has called Natureland home since 2015.
Episode 11 - living locally and working globally — The Nelson Pod
He says the birthday treat he baked for him contained pellets, banana and jam and was topped with honey and grapes.
