--- title: "Fewer Than 1,000 Nilgiri martens remain in the Western Ghats" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/nilgiri-marten-under-thousand-it7h6 publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Science & Technology published: 2026-08-26T11:00:32.005Z modified: 2026-08-26T13:30:04.925Z language: en-IN --- # Fewer Than 1,000 Nilgiri martens remain in the Western Ghats The Nilgiri marten, a small carnivore endemic to the Western Ghats, is estimated to have fewer than 1,000 mature individuals. It remains poorly understood, with sightings and data limited despite its distinct coloration and diurnal habits. ## Key takeaways - The Nilgiri marten is a small, diurnal carnivore endemic to the Western Ghats, with a distinctive coat and throat color. - Global mature-population estimates are under 1,000 individuals; IUCN classifies the species as Vulnerable. - sightings are infrequent, and researchers rely on camera traps and limited field records to study its distribution. ## What Happened The Nilgiri marten, a small carnivore with a deep brown coat, reddish forequarters and a yellow-to-orange throat, is described as endemic to the Western Ghats and among India’s rare mammals. A wildlife photographer’s image of the animal circulated online after an IAS officer highlighted it on social media around Endangered Species Day, drawing attention to a species that few people have seen or even heard about. Officially, the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, and global estimates place the mature-population count at under 1,000 individuals. The marten belongs to the weasel family and is the only marten native to southern India, with a range that includes parts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, notably the Nilgiri Hills. Its habitat spans shola forests and associated high-elevation forest-grassland mosaics, and records extend to several protected or named sites within the region. Adults measure roughly 55–65 cm in body length, with a 40–45 cm tail, and weigh around 2 kg. The animal is diurnal, tends to spend much of its time in trees, and its diet comprises birds, small mammals, insects, fruits and seeds, placing it at multiple points in the forest food web. Its limited sightings and low densities complicate efforts to gather comprehensive information about its distribution and behavior. Researchers have used camera traps and local observations to document the species, including records from Pampadum Shola National Park that show a small number of sightings between 2013 and 2015. ## Why It Matters The Nilgiri marten’s existence is tightly linked to the health of the Western Ghats’ forest-grassland systems. Because it uses both arboreal and ground habitats and consumes a varied diet, its status serves as an indicator of ecosystem connectivity and prey availability in high-elevation habitats. The scarcity of sightings underscores broader challenges in studying and conserving a species that moves through dense forests and exhibits low population density. Its decline, if confirmed, could reflect pressures on the connected forests and montane ecosystems where it lives. ## Background Taxonomically, the Nilgiri marten is a member of the weasel family and remains the sole marten native to southern India. Its distribution centers on the Western Ghats, with confirmed occurrences in the Nilgiris and records spanning several forested and protected areas. The animal’s high-elevation association is tied to specific forest types, notably shola habitats, where most observations have been reported at elevations around 2,000 metres, though records range from about 857 to 2,583 metres above sea level. Its diurnal activity and arboreal tendencies distinguish its behavior from many nocturnal carnivores, while its diet reflects its role within the forest ecosystem as both predator and seed-disperser via frugivory. ## Key Facts - Nilgiri marten is endemic to the Western Ghats and is the only marten native to southern India. - Global mature population is estimated at fewer than 1,000 individuals. - IUCN status: Vulnerable. - Geographic range includes Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with Nilgiri Hills central to its distribution. - Habitat primarily consists of shola forests and adjacent grasslands; records extend to multiple wildlife sites. - Adults are about 55–65 cm long, with a 40–45 cm tail, and weigh around 2 kg. - Behavior is diurnal; the animal spends substantial time in trees and also forages on the forest floor. - Diet includes birds, small mammals, insects and fruits/seeds. - Documented sightings since 2013–2015 in Pampadum Shola National Park have been few and often brief. ## What Happens Next The article does not specify a formal, source-backed next step. It notes ongoing data gaps and the rarity of observations, implying that further field surveys and monitoring would be needed to refine distribution estimates and population trends. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/nilgiri-marten-under-thousand-it7h6 Reported from: Multiple Sources