Wildlife photographer and camera trap specialist Yashpal Rathore shares his experience documenting an elusive species of mongoose from the Western Ghats.
Text by: Saloni Sawant
Photos by: Yashpal Rathore
Wildlife photographer and camera trap specialist Yashpal Rathore shares his experience documenting an elusive species of mongoose from the Western Ghats.
“Camera traps are like a window to a hidden world,” exclaims Yashpal Rathore, a seasoned wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and camera trap specialist. “They capture things that people don’t normally see. A person with a camera in a dense forest might not see a thing. But a camera trap will unveil wonders,” he tells me enthusiastically. “For years now, I’ve been visiting Honey Valley in Coorg, Karnataka. And yet, every time I visit this place, a new curveball is thrown my way,” he chuckles, recounting stories of unexpected camera trap images of small-clawed otters and even an unidentified person holding a rifle! Adding to this conversation, he says, “Eight years ago, when I was talking to Suresh, the owner of Honey Valley homestay, he mentioned a creature so elusive he had seen it only a few times. Suresh was sure it was a mongoose but did not know which one. His description didn’t align with any mongoose species I’ve encountered in Honey Valley before, like the ruddy mongoose or the striped-necked mongoose,” Yashpal explains. Intrigued, Yashpal embarked on a quest to unveil the elusive creature’s identity.
“For quite some time, my goal has been to document seldom-seen species. They don’t necessarily have to be rare; many common animals remain enigmatic. I began experimenting with camera traps,” Yashpal said. Drawing on his background in electrical engineering, he ingeniously devised a camera trap set up using high-quality DSLR cameras rather than the commonly used trail cameras. “The idea was to deploy camera traps to capture detailed photographs of these elusive animals. And what better opportunity to test these traps than to capture the mysterious creature roaming Honey Valley?” This project, which was to get high-quality camera trap images of the mongoose, ran from January to April 2016.
After carefully considering the animal’s movement and potential territories, Yashpal set up cameras in four locations and waited. His perseverance paid off after 2-3 weeks when a distinct-looking mongoose was finally captured by the hidden cameras. Dressed in dark brown fur and sporty black boots, it was none other than the Indian brown mongoose (Herpestes fuscus or Urva fusca).
Nestled at the foothills of Coorg’s Mt Tadiandamol, Honey Valley is a serene homestay surrounded by lush tropical rainforests and sprawling coffee and pepper plantations. It’s not merely a haven for all things wild but also a monsoon escape for Yashpal, who returns each year to admire and photograph frogs and other natural wonders.
The Indian brown mongoose boasts a coat of dark blackish-brown fur, complemented by black legs and a thick, conical tail. In size, it measures between 53-82 cm from head to tail, with the tail comprising up to two-thirds of the total body length (body length: 33–48 cm, tail length: 20–34 cm). Despite being endemic to India and Sri Lanka, an intriguing accidental introduction has led to a flourishing population on Viti Levu island in Fiji.
“During the summer, watering holes are prime locations for setting up camera traps,” Yashpal explains. “As smaller waterbodies dry up, animals are compelled to search for alternative, more dependable water sources.” While acknowledging the role of luck, he underscores the importance of understanding one’s subject thoroughly. “By studying the area and monitoring the movements of the target species, you can predict their behaviour. Properly positioned cameras significantly increase the likelihood of capturing the desired species,” he says.
Due to its mostly nocturnal habits, much of the brown mongoose’s life remains shrouded in mystery, with some understanding derived from camera trap documentation. Several characteristics were observed. Contrary to popular belief that brown mongooses are nocturnal, Yashpal’s trap photo observations revealed that they’re on the move as early as 5.30 pm to as late as 8 am. It’s also interesting to note that the traps consistently captured either solitary mongooses or, at most, a pair in a single photograph. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including evergreen forests, shola forests, tea and coffee plantations adjacent to semi-evergreen vegetation, and human-modified landscapes near forests.
During our conversation, I asked Yashpal why he chose Honey Valley. His answer was straightforward. “Getting permission to set up camera traps within a national park or tiger reserve is extremely difficult. Plantations, on the other hand, allow ample opportunities to experiment. That’s how I came to Honey Valley,” he says, laughing. However, he adds, “Documenting anything in pitch darkness is challenging. Before leaving your camera operational for days, weeks, or even months, there are numerous factors to consider and adjustments to be made. A small oversight can lead to overexposed or underexposed photographs.”
Yashpal talks about the ethics of his photography, emphasising the need to minimise disturbance to animals and their natural behaviour. “When setting up camera traps, I ensure I position them at a respectful distance from the anticipated pathway of animals. Regarding nighttime photography, our cameras are equipped with flashes, but they are not the harsh ones typically seen in studios. They emit a very low-power flash, further softened by a diffuser,” he explains. He adds that the emitted light is so subtle that animals may remain unaware of it.
Camera trapping entails more than simply setting up a camera. It involves extensive testing, careful placement, and, most importantly, understanding one’s subject. For instance, (1) Yashpal came upon mongoose scat on a tree branch. This discovery raised questions about why a typically ground-dwelling creature was perched 6-7 feet above the ground. Intrigued by this anomaly, Yashpal placed a camera in front of the branch. (2) The trap captured evidence of a brown mongoose displaying unusual arboreal behaviour.
Yashpal believes there is a world of undiscovered knowledge about various elusive species that has yet to be uncovered. “Every creature holds its own unique story that is waiting to be explored and told.” He hopes to document many more rare, elusive, nocturnal species that we have only heard about. “I wish to shed light on their secret lives, unveiling the mysteries of the natural world,” he says.
is a certified eco-volunteer by the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) and has developed innovative camera traps that documents lesser-known species. Along with Vijay Mohan Raj, he co-authored ‘Tiger Tiger Burning Bright’ to commemorate 50 years of Project Tiger.
