In News:

The recent first sighting of the Yellow-Throated Marten (Martes flavigula) in Kaziranga National Park highlights the ecological richness of the protected area and reflects the success of Assam's conservation efforts. The discovery expands the known mammalian diversity of the park and indicates the presence of healthy forest ecosystems capable of supporting a wide range of wildlife.

About Yellow-Throated Marten

The Yellow-Throated Marten, also known as Kharza, is the largest of the Old World martens and belongs to the Mustelidae family, which includes otters, badgers, ferrets, and wolverines.

Distribution and Habitat

• Found across the Himalayas, Northeast India, China, Russia, the Korean Peninsula, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia.
• Occupies diverse habitats including coniferous forests, broad-leaved forests, montane forests, tropical forests, shrublands, swamps, and high-altitude regions.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Martes flavigula
• Body length: 50–72 cm (adult males).
• Distinctive bright yellow or golden throat and chest.
• Dark brown to black head and tail.
• Agile, fearless, and primarily diurnal.
• Omnivorous, feeding on small mammals, birds, insects, fruits, and honey.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)