• UGI USER
  • Dec 23, 2023
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REDISCOVERY OF NAMDAPHA FLYING SQUIRREL

Why in the News?

  • Namdapha flying squirrel, missing for 42 years, reappeared in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Last described in 1981, the arboreal mammal was thought to be lost or mistaken for a similar species.
  • Zoologists failed to locate it during multiple expeditions, generating theories about its disappearance.
Source: The Hindu

Rediscovery Expedition:

  • A team from Aaranyak, a conservation group, sighted the Namdapha flying squirrel in April 2022.
  • The mammal shares habitat with the red giant flying squirrel, leading to confusion and theories about its status.
  • Team members are planning a DNA study to compare genetic material with the 1981 specimen stored in Kolkata.

Conservation Significance:

  • Rediscovery considered a powerful flagship for the conservation of Namdapha Tiger Reserve and its wildlife.
  • Confirmation of the species’ existence holds importance for both the reserve and biodiversity conservation.
  • The finding emphasizes the need for continued efforts to protect and study endangered species in the region.