First photo evidence of rare squirrel captured in Himachal Pradesh's Miyar valley

SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh forest department's wildlife wing has captured the first photographic evidence of the elusive Woolly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus) in the Miyar Valley, Lahaul and Spiti district.
This rare documentation occurred during a camera trapping survey conducted from Oct 10 to Dec 4, 2024, according to a Forest Department spokesperson on Saturday. The Woolly Flying Squirrel, endemic to the northwestern Himalayas, was presumed extinct until its rediscovery in 1994, nearly 70 years later. Its confirmed presence in the state is a significant addition to the state's mammal checklist and a milestone in wildlife conservation efforts.
The camera trapping survey, part of the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) initiative, aimed to study snow leopard populations and their habitat. Following SPAI protocols, 62 camera traps were deployed strategically across the Miyar valley. This extensive effort was a collaboration between the wildlife wing and the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF).
The challenging deployment of camera traps across the rugged Himalayan terrain was led by a team of local youth from Kibber, Spiti, who have been involved in conservation efforts since 2010. Their efforts were supported by a dedicated wildlife and conservation advocate from Lahaul. In addition to the woolly flying squirrel, the camera traps also captured images of snow leopards, red foxes, Himalayan wolves, and mountain weasels. These animals were observed in rocky cliff zones and transitional habitats above the tree line, areas typically favoured by the woolly flying squirrel.