Kaziranga releases first scientific report on greater hog badger

Why in News?

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has released the first scientific assessment report on the Greater Hog Badger (Arctonyx collaris), locally known as ‘Mati Gahori’ in Assamese. The study found that the globally vulnerable species is thriving within the park’s diverse habitats. 

About the Study

• Conducted by Kaziranga’s Tiger Cell in collaboration with:
  • Wildlife Conservation Trust
  • The Fishing Cat Project
• The survey covered approximately 1,100 sq km of the Kaziranga landscape.
• Estimated population: At least 55 individual Greater Hog Badgers.
• Findings indicate a healthy and potentially viable population distributed across the reserve.

About the Greater Hog Badger 

• Scientific Name: Greater Hog Badger
• A large terrestrial mustelid (family Mustelidae, which includes badgers, otters, and weasels).
• Primarily nocturnal, burrowing, and omnivorous.
• The largest among all hog badger species.
• There are three extant species of hog badgers:
  • Greater Hog Badger
  • Northern Hog Badger
  • Sumatran Hog Badger
    • The first two species occur in India.
  • The Greater Hog Badger is the largest of the three.

Distribution

The Greater Hog Badger is found across parts of South, Central, and Southeast Asia, including: Bangladesh and northeastern India eastwards through Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR and Vietnam, south to Cambodia and peninsular Thailand.   

Conservation Status

Category	Status
IUCN Red List	Vulnerable
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972	Schedule I

• Schedule I status provides the highest level of legal protection under Indian wildlife law.

Ecological Importance

• The Greater Hog Badger is considered an important mesocarnivore and ecosystem engineer.
• Disturbs and aerates soil through burrowing.
• Helps in nutrient redistribution.
• Promotes decomposition by turning over leaf litter while foraging.
• Contributes to maintaining soil health and ecosystem productivity.
• Its conservation supports broader ecosystem functioning beyond the protection of a single species.

Source: TH