The Status of Nepal's Mammals: The National Red List Series - IUCN

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National Park where it may be in decline.
National Distribution
This species occurs across most of Nepal and
has been recorded up to 3,254 m and within the
protected areas of Annapurna Conservation Area,
Chitwan National Park, Khaptad National Park,
Langtang National Park, Makalu Barun National Park,
Rara National Parks, Sagarmatha National Park and
Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve.
55) Martes foina (Erxleben, 1777)
Common Names
Stone Marten (English); Himali Malsapro (Nepali)
Species Description
Lighter coloured than other martens, chocolate to
drab tawny-brown. Its throat is white to pale yellow.
Legs and tail darker than the body. Males are larger
than females.
Species Ecology
Stone Martens occur in the temperate and alpine
zones of the Himalayas, deciduous forests, forest
edge, open rocky hillsides and undisturbed forests.
This species has a varied diet, feeding on other small
mammals such as voles, squirrels, birds, lizards,
snakes, frogs and also honey, nuts and fruit.
Females have litters of four to five young after a
gestation period of nine weeks.
Conservation Status
Global: Least Concern
National: Least Concern
Rationale for assessment: This species is considered
Least Concern in view of its wide distribution,
occurrence in several protected areas and assumed
large population.
Legal Status
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973). This species occurs within protected areas.
Distribution outside Nepal
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,
China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea,
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Lao PDR,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russian Federation,
Taiwan Province of China, Thailand, Viet Nam.
Main Threats
• Poaching for fur.
• Habitat loss.
References
Suwal and Verheugt 1995, Ernst 2003, Baral and Shah 2008, Ghimirey 2010,
Nepal Red List of Mammals Field Technicians Workshop 2010, Yadav Ghimirey (pers. comm.) 2010.
National Population Size
Although this species is considered fairly common in
Langtang National Park, it is not considered
common in other areas of Nepal.
National Distribution
This species occurs along the northern border of
Nepal, in the High Himalayas and Trans-Himalayan
area and within the protected areas of Shey
Phoksundo, Makalu Barun and Langtang National
Parks and the districts of Doti, Bajhang and Bajura.
It is considered fairly common in Langtang National
Park.
Distribution outside Nepal