India, Oct. 31 -- The only way to reach the ridge, known to the communities of Shirui village in Manipur as a haunt for wildlife, is an ascent up a steep ravine alongside a mountain stream. Its slopes are strewn with slippery serpentinite rocks and dense undergrowth of stinging nettles and wild yellow impatiens. Pamreithing Luireiwo, a resident of Shirui, led the way, using his small dao to clear the stinging nettles while keeping a watchful eye on the surrounding slopes. Every so often, he stopped and studied the terrain, spotting animal tracks and signs of activity that an untrained eye would mistake for ordinary forest undergrowth.

"A boar went through here," he said casually before setting off again, negotiating the slippery incline ...