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

97
Distribution outside Nepal
Bhutan, China, India, Japan, Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR,
Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russian Federation,
Taiwan Province of China, Thailand, Viet Nam.
Main Threats
Unknown.
References
Lekagul and McNeely 1988, Suwal and Verheugt 1995, Ernst 2003, Yadav Ghimirey (pers. comm.) 2010,
Baral and Shah 2008, Ghimirey 2010.
57) Paguma larvata (C.E.H. Smith, 1827)
Common Names
Masked Palm Civet (English); Dhana-od, Gajale Nir
Biralo, Kasturi Biraloo (Nepali)
Species Description
Coat is dark brown to black with grey-buff
underparts. The tail is covered in a thick black hair
but can have a greyish tip. The facial markings are
unique to this civet, with the dark “mask” clearly
distinguishing it from other civet species.
Species Ecology
The Masked Palm Civet occurs in forests. This species
is recognised as more vegetarian than other species
of civets mainly feeding on fruit but will also take
birds and poultry.
Litter sizes for Masked Palm Civets range from one
to four young.
Conservation Status
Global: Least Concern
National: Least Concern
Rationale for assessment: This species is considered
Least Concern in view of a broad distribution and
assumed abundant population. Although the
population status and threats to this species are not
well known, it is unlikely to be declining at a rate to
qualify it for a more threatened category.
Legal Status
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973). This species occurs within protected areas.
National Population Size
There is no information available on the population
size or status of this species in Nepal.
National Distribution
This species has a broad distribution occurring
across most of Nepal up to elevations of 2,200 m
and has been recorded within the protected areas
of Annapurna Conservation Area, Chitwan National
Park, Khaptad National Park, Makalu-Barun National
Park, Sagarmatha National Park and the districts of
Bajhang, Bajura, Doti, Illam, Panchther, Ramechaap,
Sindhuli and Taplejung.
Distribution outside Nepal
Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India,
Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand,
Viet Nam.
Main Threats
• Disturbance.
• Persecution.
• Trapping and hunting.