Records of Greater Hog Badger Arctonyx collaris from northern Vietnam and a discussion of its status in the country

Abstract

The Greater Hog Badger Arctonyx collaris is found in a wide range of habitats across South-east Asia. The species is categorised as globally Vulnerable on account of its declining populations, resulting from various threats, such as hunting with dogs and snare-trapping. The species is mapped as Possibly Extinct in Vietnam in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, though the text account states that the species was considered extant in the country at the time of its assessment in 2015. Camera-trap surveys for ground-dwelling vertebrates in Cuc Phuong National Park and Pu Mat National Park have confirmed the presence of the species. These findings suggest that the species may persist in other protected areas in Vietnam, though probably at low population densities given the known and ongoing threats to the species in the country.