Hutias: Capromyidae

Some species of hutia are widely hunted by humans for their meat, such as Brown's hutia in Jamaica, despite its threatened status. In some areas of Cuba hutias are abundant and considered an agricultural pest by farmers. There is growing concern among conservationists that more species will become extinct soon due to human activities. Brown's hutia is continuing to drop in population despite its protected status under Jamaica's Wildlife Protection Act of 1945, which is rarely enforced.