Guwahati, Feb. 20 -- byNabarun Guhaon 14 February 2024

Wildlife enthusiasts in Assam were in for a pleasant surprise recently as two species new to the region were identified in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KTR) - the binturong (Arctictis binturong) and small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus). This identification increases the number of mammal species in Northeast India's biggest national park to 37.

The elusive binturong was photographed by Chirantanu Saikia, a tour guide and photographer hailing from Tezpur while Arun Vignesh, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Eastern Assam Wildlife was credited for photographing the small-clawed otter.

While both the species had previously been spotted by the local residents, they hadn't be...