First camera-trap evidence of a ferret badger <Melogale> sp. (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mustelidae) from the community forests of Manipur, India

Individuals of Melogale sp. were photographed on multiple occasions through camera traps deployed in the community forest of Godha Village under Phungyar Sub-Division of Kamjong District, in Manipur, India. The species were photographed from fragmented forest patches along the village’s vicinity. The species was identified only at the genus level based on morphometric characteristics and may either be Small-toothed Ferret Badger Melogale moschata or Large-toothed / Burmese Ferret Badger M. personata as it was not possible to confirm at species level simply based on camera-trap images. The study represents the first confirmed camera-trap record of Melogale sp. from the community forest of Manipur ascertaining the distribution records of these lesser-known species from northeastern India. It further supports their nocturnal foraging behaviour and elusive nature in the wild.