The Malabar Civet is endemic to the western Ghats of India. Very little is known about their ecological behavior because they are quite elusive and their critical endangerment (marked as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List) means that we cannot hold them under captivity for study. With a modest approximation it is estimated that there are only 250 adult Malabar Civet’s left in the world. The Malabar civet is dusky gray with large black marks that traverse its back which are evolutionary changes. They are very nimble and quick. They stay hidden in the thickets during the day and come out at night to find food, they eat vegetation and small mammals.
The Malabar civets have been ruthlessly hunted to obtain civetone which is used to make Civet oil, perfumes and medicine. After more modern methods for the synthesis of these products was found the Malabar civet found a new enemy which was habitat destruction. Especially in the Western Ghats which are ripe for modern urbanization and gentrification, they are at risk of complete extinction.
Due to the sheer size of the Western Ghats, it is hard to regulate and protect endangered animals however, there are conservation efforts being made by many groups such as the IUCN/SSC Small Carnivore Specialist Group. Who protect not only the Malabar Civet but other endangered animals such as the Black Footed Ferrets and Pygmy Racoon.
Write-up by Amrit Srivastava and Art by Aayush Goraik Rathaur
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