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.