Now Reading: At least 55 greater hog badgers found in Kaziranga
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At least 55 greater hog badgers found in Kaziranga
A new scientific assessment in Assam's Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has estimated a minimum of 55 greater hog badgers across 1,100 sq km of surveyed area, the first baseline for the elusive species. Researchers analysed thousands of camera trap images from the All India Tiger Estimation 2026 exercise, conducted between February and May, and found the badgers occupy nearly half the landscape.
The greater hog badger, listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, is protected under Schedule I of India's Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The study, published in June by the Kaziranga Tiger Cell with the Wildlife Conservation Trust and The Fishing Cat Project, used an occupancy-abundance model to account for the animal's elusiveness. Forest officials say the actual population is likely higher, as detection probability per survey was only about 20%.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The hog badger's discovery highlights how flagship tiger surveys can yield data on lesser-known species, but also that camera-trap spacing designed for large carnivores may underestimate small mammals. Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage site, already faces pressure from tourism and road projects. The baseline of 55 individuals gives conservationists a starting point to monitor how habitat fragmentation and human activity affect this nocturnal mammal. The next tiger estimation cycle will likely refine these numbers, potentially expanding the known range of a species long absent from local folklore.
Source: india.mongabay.com
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