Abstract
The presence of Hystrix cristata in the province of South Tyrol was documented by two
independent records of quills found at two different locations. While further official
confirmations beyond single quill records are required to confirm the occurrence of
permanent populations, these findings already provide important information to
increase the attention on this protected species and to understand its range expansion
mechanisms. H. cristata is known to currently spread northwards in Italy and the
records reported here represent the northernmost distribution record in Europe,
suggesting a potential expansion within the Alpine area and adjacent countries.