GUWAHATI: In a significant conservation milestone, Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has released the first-ever scientific assessment of the Greater Hog Badger (Arctonyx collaris), locally known as Mati Gahori, confirming a healthy and widely distributed population of the globally vulnerable species within the protected area.
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The report, released on Friday, June 12, was prepared by Kaziranga's Tiger Cell in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Trust and researcher Tiasa Adhya of The Fishing Cat Project. The study analysed camera trap images collected during the All India Tiger Estimation exercise to estimate the density and habitat occupancy of the elusive nocturnal mammal.
Researchers estimated that at least 55 Greater Hog Badgers inhabit nearly 1,100 square kilometres of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, indicating a stable and potentially viable population spread across diverse habitats. Officials noted that the figure is a preliminary estimate and may be refined further as additional detection and habitat-related data become available.
Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Greater Hog Badger is one of three extant hog badger species found globally and is the largest among them. The species is distributed across parts of South, Central and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Greater Hog Badger is listed as Vulnerable, with its population declining due to habitat loss, fragmentation and hunting pressure. Conservation experts believe that Assam and the wider Northeast region now represent some of the species' most important remaining strongholds.
Welcoming the findings, Assam Forest and Environment Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said the study highlights the strength of Kaziranga's ecosystems and the importance of conserving lesser-known species.
Taking to social media, the minister said, "The healthy presence of this elusive, nocturnal burrower across diverse habitats reflects the strength of Kaziranga's ecosystems. Every species, big or small, plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity."
Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, said the study demonstrates the value of scientific documentation of lesser-known species and will contribute to future conservation planning and ecological research.
Beyond its conservation significance, the Greater Hog Badger plays an important ecological role. As an omnivorous and highly fossorial mammal, it contributes to soil aeration, nutrient redistribution and leaf litter turnover through its digging and foraging activities. These processes help improve soil health, facilitate seed germination and create microhabitats for other organisms.
According to the press release, the species has suffered steep declines across much of Southeast Asia due to hunting and habitat degradation, making populations in Assam and Northeast India particularly significant from a global conservation perspective.
