Historic First Photograph of Mount Lyell Shrew: The Mount Lyell shrew, previously never photographed alive, was captured on camera for the first time in October 2024 by wildlife photographer Vishal Subramanyan and student scientists Prakrit Jain and Harper Forbes.
Research Team's Mission: The team, in collaboration with UC Berkeley's Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, ventured into the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains to observe and photograph the elusive shrew species in their natural habitat.
Shrew’s Elusive Nature: The Mount Lyell shrew had never been documented alive due to its small size, elusive behavior, and the difficulty of capturing it without harming it.
Trap Methodology: The team set over 100 pitfall traps designed to safely capture the shrews. They monitored the traps continuously, sleeping only two hours at a time to ensure the animals' wellbeing.
Challenges in Handling: The team faced challenges in handling the shrews, which are venomous and prone to biting. They used plastic bags to weigh the shrews and had to improvise techniques for genetic testing.
Behavioral Observations: Through the capture of six live Mount Lyell shrews, the team observed the mammals’ behaviors, including stashing food and taking micronaps.
Conservation Efforts: The photographs help raise public awareness about the species, which is threatened by climate change. The Mount Lyell shrew’s high-altitude habitat may be lost due to warming temperatures, making conservation efforts even more critical.