Elusive Californian mammal captured on camera for first time ever – The Mercury News
- In the Sierra Nevada's eastern slope, hidden from human eyes for generations, the elusive Mount Lyell shrew was found not once, but six times, as part of an...
- Vishal Subramanyan, a recently graduated wildlife photographer, led the mission with student scientists Prakrit Jain and Harper Forbes.
- The idea sparked from Jain's curiosity during a research project at UC Berkeley.
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In the Sierra Nevada’s eastern slope, hidden from human eyes for generations, the elusive Mount Lyell shrew was found not once, but six times, as part of an expedition that established a new benchmark in the annals of California wildlife photography. These mongoose-like mammals, no bigger than your thumb, had never been captured alive on camera before.
Vishal Subramanyan, a recently graduated wildlife photographer, led the mission with student scientists Prakrit Jain and Harper Forbes. Their objective? To photograph the rarely-seen, yet incredibly resilientMount Lyell shrew (Sorex lyelli).
The idea sparked from Jain’s curiosity during a research project at UC Berkeley. Intrigued that no live images existed of this native species, he teamed up with Subramanyan and Forbes to turn their curiosity into a reality.
They ventured to the ecology-rich outskirts of Lee Vining, setting more than 100 pitfall traps across streams and wetlands. Over three days, they monitored the traps religiously, catching their first Mount Lyell shrew within hours. In the end, they secured six individuals, observing their behavior before releasing them unharmed.
"It wasn’t as challenging as we thought," Subramanyan recalls. "It was about dedicating time and focus to a species often overlooked. They’re bitey and venomous, yes, but fascinating nonetheless."
Their tireless efforts bore fruit not just in photographs, but in increased awareness about these remarkable creatures. "They stash food, take micronaps, and have a unique lifecycle that’s crucial for ecosystem balance," explains Forbes.
Now, with the world’s first live Mount Lyell shrew images, we’re invited to reckon with the reality of these tiny, climate-vulnerable mammals. A UC Davis study forecasts a 90% habitat loss due to climate change – and this is where public awareness comes into play.
"People can’t protect what they don’t know," says Subramanyan. "These photographs are a call to care, to understand, and to preserve before they’re only a memory."