Rediscovery’ of endangered Namdapha Flying Squirrel

GS Paper III Environment and Ecology

Context: Missing for 42 years, the Namdapha flying squirrel resurfaces in Arunachal Pradesh.

Namdapha Flying Squirrel

The Namdapha flying squirrel was last described in 1981 based on a single individual found in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.

About Namdapha Flying Squirrel

Namdapha Flying Squirrel: It is an arboreal, nocturnal flying squirrel endemic to Arunachal Pradesh.
- As the Namdapha flying squirrel has rarely been recorded, there is little information available regarding its biology or ecology, but it is likely to be similar to other flying squirrels.
Scientific Name: Biswamoyopterus Biswasi.
Population and Habitat: No population estimate is available for B. biswasi, but the known habitat is tall Mesua ferrea jungles, often located on hill slopes.
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered.
Threats: Threatened by habitat loss and degradation caused by shifting agriculture, extraction of non-timber forest products, etc.
About Flying Squirrels: All flying squirrels are nocturnal, possibly because their gliding membrane hinders their movement, and thus darkness gives them extra protection from predatory birds
- The membrane does allow an effective escape from flightless tree predators.

Namdapha National Park

It is the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot.
Location: Lies in the international border between India and Myanmar within Changlang District in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Fauna: It is the only park in the World to have the four Feline species of big cat, namely the Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Clouded Leopard.
Other Fauna: Namdapha flying squirrel, Asian elephants and several lesser cats.
Climate: It varies from tropical to sub-tropical temperate andp; arctic.
Flora: Pinus merkusi and Abies delavavi, the Blue Vanda, Mishimi Teeta.