‘Elusive’ bushy-tail creature seen on trail cams in India reserve for first time (2025)

In the forests of northeastern India, conservation efforts and study are often focused around the area’s most famous creatures.

The clouded leopard, for example, is at the center of wildlife officials’ attention as the feline captures the limelight.

Plenty of other animals call the region home, however, and a new study was designed to capture the ecology and behavior of some of these forgotten species.

Camera traps were set up in India’s Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary in Tripura, a 150-square-mile reserve established in 1989, according to a study published April 26 in the peer-reviewed Journal of Threatened Taxa.

The landscape sits in the foothills of a mountain range, and ridges and valleys in an “undulating terrain” provide a diverse habitat, researchers said.

Between March 10 and April 5, 2024, nearly 50 camera traps were set, according to the study.

Then, an “elusive” nocturnal creature made an appearance.

“During the course of 10 days, a ferret badger was recorded on numerous occasions in that particular location,” according to the study. “From 10 trap nights at this location, 40 images of (the ferret badger) were produced on four separate occasions. … Along with its nocturnal nature, the repeated appearance of the (ferret badger) in the same locations could imply that the camera-trap station encompasses within the territory of that particular individual.”

Ferret badgers are “small carnivores” from the Mustelidae animal family, the same as weasels, otters, wolverines and both ferrets and badgers, researchers said. The animal, however, is neither a ferret nor a badger.

“They are relatively smaller compared to those occurring sympatrically (badgers) and feature elongated bodies, prominently pointed snouts, and tails distinguished by their length and bushiness,” according to the study.

There are two species of ferret badger found in India, but they only way to tell them apart is their teeth, and therefore the exact species seen in the photos couldn’t be identified, researchers said.

“Ferret badgers have been relatively overlooked in scientific research for years, likely due to their elusive behavior and less attractive appearance compared to many other flagship mammals,” researchers said. “This lack of attention has resulted in an incomplete understanding of (their) ecology, biology, life history traits and conservation needs.”

The ferret badger spotted in India part was seen exhibiting foraging behavior, suggesting they may be more omnivorous than previously believed, according to the study. Previous studies have shown anything from amphibians to small birds, eggs and snails in ferret badger feces.

“Our photographic evidence of the (ferret badger) marks a first scientifically confirmed record to the current checklist of mammals of Tripura,” researchers said. “Furthermore, it underscores the imperative to investigate the natural history of small carnivores, particularly lesser known species, considering the looming threats to the habitat and dynamic ecological landscape of the state, to ensure their continued sustenance.”

Tripura is a state in northeastern India, along the eastern border of Bangladesh just north of the Bay of Bengal.

The research team includes Omkar Patil, Ashutosh Joshi and Amey Parkar.