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

41) Prionodon pardicolor (Hodgson, 1842)
Common Names
Spotted Linsang (English); Silu biralo, Silu (Nepali)
Species Description
This species has a low slung, weasel-like body
and long tail. Richer in colouration than the other
spotted civets. Coat ranges from the ochre-brown
to deep buff and the spinal area is darker than the
flanks. The black spots on its coat are set in lines off
the spine, while the markings on the flank vary from
small spots to large patches. Legs and tail are also
spotted with black and white rings.
Species Ecology
The Spotted Linsang inhabits riverine forests and
dry undulating grounds feeding on rats and other
small rodents.
This species gives birth to a litter of two young.
Conservation Status
Global: Least Concern
National: Endangered C2a(i)
Rationale for assessment: The Spotted Linsang
(Prionodon pardicolor) has been nationally assessed
as Endangered under criterion C due to a small
population of approximately 100 individuals based
on reports from field scientists and technicians who
have rarely observed this species in recent years.
Poaching and habitat loss are the main, ongoing
threats to this species and it is therefore suspected
to be in decline. This species does occur within
the neighbouring countries of India and China but
whether any cross-boundary movement occurs is
not known.
Legal Status
Appendix I CITES
Listed in the National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation Act 2029 (1973) as protected priority
species.
National Population Size
Total: 100 (estimated)
There is no information available on the population
size or status of this species in Nepal. Field scientists
and technicians report the species as rarely sighted
and estimate a population of less than 100
individuals.
National Distribution
This species occurs from Annapurna Conservation
Area to east Nepal below elevations of 2,000 m
and has been observed in Chitwan National Park
(Hetauda and Island Jungle Resort areas) and the
Lelep area of Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.
Distribution outside Nepal
Cambodia, China (central to southern China,
western Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Xizang, Hunan,
Jiangxi, Guangdong, and Guangxi), India (Sikkim,
Assam, Bengal and other states of north-east India),
Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam.
Main Threats
• Poaching for fur.
• Habitat loss and degradation due to human
settlements, clearing for agriculture and
livestock grazing, collection of firewood.
Conservation Measures in Place
None.
Conservation Recommendations
i) Conduct survey using camera traps and indirect
sign surveys to establish occupancy and population
size in areas of suitable habitat both inside and out
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