First photographic record of Woolly Flying Squirrel captured in Miyar Valley
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- Rare Sighting marks significant addition to Mammalian Biodiversity of State
Shimla April 05 :A Spokesperson of the Forest Department here today informed that the Wildlife Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (HPFD) has successfully captured the first-ever photographic evidence of the elusive Woolly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus) in the Miyar Valley of Lahaul and Spiti district. This rare documentation was made during a camera trapping survey conducted from 10th October to 4th December, 2024.
He said that the Woolly Flying Squirrel, endemic to the north-western Himalayas, was long believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994 after a gap of nearly seventy 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 said that the camera trapping survey was part of the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) initiative was 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 of the Forest Department in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF).
He said that the challenging deployment of camera traps across the rugged Himalayan terrain was led by a dedicated team of local youth from Kibber in Spiti, who have been engaged in such conservation efforts since 2010. Their efforts were further supported by a committed wildlife and conservation champion from Lahaul.
He said that these findings not only shows the rich biodiversity of the Miyar Valley but also provide crucial insights into the high-altitude ecosystems of Himachal Pradesh. Such discoveries also show the importance of continued conservation research and the need to protect these fragile and unique habitats.
