Book Review: Mountain Mammals Of The World

First published in Sanctuary Asia, Vol. 45 No. 2, February 2025

With improved technology and a much greater appetite among the young for books to remind them of the wonderful biosphere in which they live, it is heartening to see how many new, high-quality publications are emerging from within India. Here are four books that Sanctuary believes should be in every public library and in the homes of all those whose hearts beat to nature’s drum.

Mountain Mammals Of The World
By M.K. Ranjitsingh
Published by Penguin Ebury Press
Hardcover, 400 pages, Price: Rs. 1,718/-

Mountain Mammals of the World by Dr. M.K. Ranjitsingh, an 86-year-old revered wildlife conservationist, is a captivating and meticulously researched guide to the mammals that live above 2,000 m. in elevation. This book goes far beyond a typical field guide – its rich maps of mammal distribution and breathtaking photographs make it not just informative, but a visual delight. His writing is imbued with a sense of wonder, thanks to the charming anecdotes and personal stories he weaves throughout, making it a book you’ll want to revisit again and again, even for pure enjoyment.

One of my favourite moments is pulled from his diary, an unforgettable encounter with an Asiatic black bear in the forests of Dachigam in December 1960. He writes, “Slowly we stepped out into a small opening to get a better look, when Mir suddenly grabbed my arm and shouted, ‘Haput’! (Bear!).” Just a few metres from them was a hulking bear, squatting over the viscera of the hangul that had been expertly extricated by a leopard. The encounter sent the author and his assistant bolting from the scene, and Dr. Ranjitsingh gained a scar he refused to get rid of.

The pace of the writing is quick and engaging, with a series of personal experiences that pull you in, making even the wealth of information feel effortless to absorb. Dr. Ranjitsingh’s directness shines through, especially when addressing crucial conservation issues and outdated practices. His candid take on topics such as the use of animal parts in traditional medicine packs a punch. For example, when discussing the use of rhino horn in medicine, he doesn’t mince words: “The moronic belief in the medicinal efficacy of rhino horn will someday end.

Some of the anecdotes in the book are deeply moving, especially when Dr. Ranjitsingh reflects on his time as a forest officer. One particularly poignant moment comes when he recounts his decision to impose a ban on the export of wildlife products. “During the same period, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 had been promulgated and as Director of Wildlife Preservation of India, under the aegis of the Act, I was able to ban the export of musk from India. Traders in wildlife made a strong representation to the chairman of the then Indian Board for Wildlife to allow them to export stocks they already possessed. At the instance of the chairman, I asked the traders to submit their extant stocks, which came to over 54 kg. of musk. At the rate of 25 g. per male at an average, 54 kg. represented the death of about 2,160 mature male musk deer.

At the same time, natural history observations from years of field work keep the reading authentic, making it a must-have book in your personal library. He writes, for instance, about the comparison between different bear species, “According to my own observations, the black bear has better eyesight than the brown and sloth bears, and most likely better hearing as well. The black bear is also the most aggressive of the three. It is much larger than the sloth bear and significantly smaller than the brown, but far less timid.

While lugging this 400-page book into the field may not be practical, Dr. Ranjitsingh’s writing style – succinct, passionate, and thoughtfully measured – makes it a book you’ll want to return to time and time again. Each page draws you in, offering just the right balance of depth and accessibility that keeps you coming back for more, whether for learning or simply enjoying the narrative.

Reviewed by Prachi Galange


 

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