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

67) Mustela strigidorsa (Gray, 1853)
Common Names
Stripe-backed Weasel (English); Dharke Malsapro
(Nepali)
Species Description
A chocolate brown weasel with a pale silver line
running along its back from head to tail and a
corresponding yellow stripe from chin to abdomen.
It has a much shorter and bushier tail than other
weasels.
Species Ecology
The Stripe-backed Weasel mainly occurs in
evergreen forests in hills and mountains, but has
also been recorded from plains forests, dense scrub,
secondary forests, grasslands and farmlands;
sheltering among rocks, hollow stumps, burrows
and clefts among stone walls. The Stripe-backed
Weasel is one of the least-known mustelids in the
world, therefore very little is known about its life
history traits, although it is likely to be similar to
other weasel species in Nepal.
Conservation Status
Global: Least Concern
National: Data Deficient
Rationale for assessment: There is insufficient
information available to make an accurate
assessment of the extinction risk of this species
in Nepal. It may qualify for Endangered under
Category B but further knowledge on distribution,
population status and habitat is required.
Legal Status
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973). This species occurs within protected areas.
National Distribution
This species is reported from only two locations;
Annapurna Conservation Area and Makalu Barun
National Park. A recent article has questioned
whether this species still occurs in Nepal.
Distribution outside Nepal
China, India, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam.
References
Suwal and Verheugt 1995, Abromov et al. 2008, Baral and Shah 2008.
68) Pardofelis marmorata (Martin, 1837)
Common Names
Marbled Cat (English); Chhirbire Biralo (Nepali)
Species Description
About one-third the size of the Clouded Leopard.
Shorter, rounder skull and a long tail equal to the
length of its own body. The patches on its body have
pale borders unlike the black-edged pattern of the
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