First photographic record of flying squirrel in Himachal

IANS April 5, 2025 131 views

A groundbreaking wildlife discovery has emerged from Himachal Pradesh's rugged Miyar Valley. The Forest Department has captured the first photographic evidence of the woolly flying squirrel, a species once thought extinct. This remarkable finding was part of a comprehensive Snow Leopard Population Assessment survey involving 62 strategically placed camera traps. The discovery not only adds a rare species to the state's mammal checklist but also underscores the critical importance of continuous conservation efforts in preserving delicate high-altitude ecosystems.

"These findings highlight the rich biodiversity of the Miyar Valley" - Himachal Pradesh Forest Department Spokesperson
Shimla, April 5: Himachal Pradesh Forest Department on Saturday said its Wildlife Wing has captured the photo of the woolly flying squirrel, once considered extinct, captured in the Miyar Valley of Lahaul-Spiti district.

Key Points

1

First confirmed photo of woolly flying squirrel in 70 years

2

Camera traps reveal diverse high-altitude wildlife ecosystem

3

Local youth lead critical conservation research in Himalayan terrain

The department said that this is the first photographic record of the flying squirrel. This rare documentation was made during a camera trapping survey conducted from October to December last year. A Forest Department spokesperson on Saturday stated that the woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus), endemic to the north-western Himalayas, was long believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994 after a gap of nearly 70 years. Its confirmed presence in the state marks a noteworthy addition to the state’s mammal checklist and is considered a significant milestone in wildlife conservation efforts.

The spokesperson mentioned that the camera trapping survey was part of the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) initiative, aimed at studying snow leopard populations and their habitat. The survey followed SPAI protocols and involved the installation of 62 camera traps across strategic locations in the Miyar Valley. This extensive exercise was carried out by the Wildlife Wing in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF).

He noted that the challenging deployment of camera traps across the rugged Himalayan terrain was led by a team of local youth from Kibber in Spiti, who have been engaged in such conservation efforts since 2010. Their work was further supported by a committed wildlife and conservation champion from Lahaul.

In addition to the woolly flying squirrel, the camera traps also recorded images of several other key species, including the snow leopard, the red fox, the Himalayan wolf, and the mountain weasel. These animals were observed in rocky cliff zones and transitional habitats just above the tree line areas typically favored by the woolly flying squirrel.

These findings not only highlight the rich biodiversity of the Miyar Valley but also provide crucial insights into the high-altitude ecosystems of Himachal Pradesh, said the spokesperson. Such discoveries emphasize the importance of continued conservation research and the need to protect these fragile and unique habitats.

Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
This is incredible news! 😍 Nature always finds a way to surprise us. Hats off to the conservation team for their hard work in these tough terrains. Makes me want to visit Himachal even more!
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Rahul S.
While this discovery is exciting, I wish the article had more details about how they plan to protect this species now that they've confirmed its presence. Conservation efforts shouldn't stop at documentation.
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Ananya P.
The woolly flying squirrel looks so cute in the pictures! It's amazing that species we thought were gone can still be found in remote areas. Shows how much we still have to learn about our planet.
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Vikram D.
Big shoutout to the local youth from Kibber! This proves how important it is to involve local communities in conservation work. They know the terrain better than anyone else.
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Neha T.
The biodiversity in our Himalayas is truly remarkable. Snow leopards, flying squirrels, wolves all in one valley! Makes me proud of India's natural heritage. Hope tourism doesn't disturb these delicate ecosystems though.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Woolly Flying Squirrel Himachal Pradesh Wildlife Miyar Valley Snow Leopard Conservation Endangered Species
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