The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department's wildlife wing 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 possible during a camera trapping survey conducted between October 10 and December 4, 2024. The Woolly Flying Squirrel, a species endemic to the north-western Himalayas, was once believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1994 after nearly seventy years.
Its confirmed presence in Himachal Pradesh now marks a significant addition to the state’s mammalian biodiversity and is seen as a major milestone in ongoing wildlife conservation efforts.
The camera trapping exercise was undertaken as part of the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) initiative, which aims to study snow leopard populations and their associated ecosystems. Following strict SPAI protocols, the team installed 62 camera traps across carefully chosen locations in the remote Miyar Valley.
The entire effort was led by the Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF). Local youth from Kibber village in Spiti, who have been actively involved in conservation work since 2010, played a key role in deploying the equipment across the region’s difficult and rugged terrain.
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They were supported by a passionate conservation advocate from Lahaul who contributed significantly to the mission.
In addition to capturing images of the Woolly Flying Squirrel, the survey recorded several other key species, including the elusive snow leopard, red fox, Himalayan wolf, and mountain weasel.
These animals were spotted in rocky cliffs and transitional zones located just above the tree line—habitats that are typically favoured by the Woolly Flying Squirrel. According to wildlife experts, this discovery not only reflects the rich biodiversity found in the high-altitude landscapes of the Miyar Valley but also offers valuable insights into the region's unique ecosystems.
The findings underscore the importance of ongoing conservation research and reinforce the urgent need to protect these fragile habitats, which are home to rare and often endangered species.
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