Endangered Nilgiri Marten Spotted Crossing Road, Internet Captivated By Rare Sighting

Supriya Sahu, an IAS official, keeps online users engaged by sharing exciting facts about wildlife protection.?

Recently, the officer shared a fascinating video on the Nilgiri Marten, a unique mammal native to the Western Ghats.?

This little fuzzy creature is recognizable by its chocolate fur and bright canary yellow neck. The rare sighting of this endangered mammal captivated web users.

Where was the Nilgiri Marten spotted?

The Nilgiri Marten is on the verge of extinction | Image: X

The Nilgiri Marten, once common in the lush forests and grasslands of the Western Ghats, which span the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, is on the verge of extinction, and has been classified as 'Vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The reasons for its dwindling population are numerous.

According to experts, habitat degradation and fragmentation have had a significant influence on the population.To address the urgent need for conservation, the Tamil Nadu government established the "TN Endangered Species Conservation Fund."

What did the IAS officer have to say?

Nilgiri Marten is a beautiful small mustelid with a chocolate coloured fur and a canary yellow throat | Image: X

“Most people have not even heard about Nilgiri Marten, a beautiful small mustelid with a chocolate coloured fur and a canary yellow throat. Once this beautiful animal could be easily sighted but now is on the IUCN Red list. Nilgiri Marten is endemic to Western Ghats. TN Govt has planned conservation of lesser known species like Nilgiri Marten through the newly announced initiative “TN Endangered Species Conservation Fund’. video- APW, Thiru Senthil, Chinnamanur Range, Megamalai Division,” reads the caption.?

How did people on the internet react?

Users quickly shared their thoughts after seeing the video and photographs. "It's unfortunate that the Nilgiri Marten is in danger, but it's encouraging to see initiatives like the TN Endangered Species Conservation Fund working to protect lesser-known species like the Nilgiri Marten."?

"Awareness and conservation efforts are critical for preserving biodiversity," one user remarked.

Check the video here.

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