A small predator known to fight above its weight class has been recorded for the first time in the 1,302 sq km Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Assam Forest Department officials on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) said a yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) was photographed recently during routine camera trapping by the Kaziranga Tiger Cell, confirming the presence of this mesopredator in the park’s semi-evergreen forest patches.

A mesopredator is a smaller carnivore that sits below apex predators, such as tigers and bears, in food chains.

The yellow‑throated marten is a diurnal, tree‑climbing mustelid that assists seed dispersal, a role that supports healthy forest regeneration and ecosystem balance. Weighing up to 2 kg, it has a hyper-aggressive, fearless, and relentless temperament akin to its larger cousin, the honey badger.

In India, the yellow-throated marten is found across the Himalayan region and in other parts of the northeastern region, including Assam. It is protected as a Schedule II animal under India’s Wildlife Protection Act.

“Assam is creating conservation success stories that extend beyond protecting landscapes to nurturing thriving ecosystems. The sighting of the yellow-throated marten in Kaziranga underscores the strength of Assam’s conservation,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.