By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 17: Researchers have captured the first photographic evidence of the Bengal Fox (Vulpes bengalensis) in Meghalaya, marking a significant addition to the state’s documented biodiversity.
According to a statement here, the discovery was made within Balpakram National Park in the South Garo Hills
December 1, 2025, at 8:30 pm, a motion-triggered camera trap positioned along a forest road in the Mahadeo Range recorded a single Bengal Fox.
While the species is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, it is typically associated with open, semi-arid grasslands and scrublands. Previous regional checklists had not confirmed its presence in Meghalaya, though recent sightings had been reported in neighboring Assam.
The fox was identified by its small, slender build, pointed ears and a distinctive bushy tail with a prominent black tip—features that distinguish it from the more common Golden Jackal.
The record was part of an ongoing mammalian population assessment project in the South Garo Hills, which began in November 2025.
Experts suggest that the unique plateau topography of the region may function as a movement corridor, allowing the species to persist in an otherwise forest-dominated landscape.
Meanwhile, researchers have argued that continued monitoring is essential to determine the population status and long-term survival of the Bengal Fox in Meghalaya as the species can be vulnerable to habitat loss and interactions with free-ranging dogs.
