Endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrel spotted in Hosur Forest Division

July 4, 2011 - PRLog -- The grizzled giant squirrel (Ratufa macruoura) is not just the smallest but also the rarest of all the Indian giant squirrels. This endearing species is now restricted to small pockets of riverine forests in Srivilliputur, Tamilnadu, Chinar wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and parts of Cauvery wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka.

Mr.V.Ganesan, erstwhile DFO of Hosur Forest Division had spoken to Kenneth Anderson Nature Society about the possible of occurrence of this animal in the forests along the Cauvery River. Finding this endangered squirrel became a consuming interest for the members of KANS who frequented the forests of Hosur Forest Division. Enquiries with cattle grazers and fishermen, revealed that a similar animal was reported deep inside the forests along Cauvery banks.

A while later, KANS helped Asian Nature Conservation Foundation in a bio-diversity survey of the Hosur and Dharmapuri Forest Division. A grizzled giant squirrel specialist was brought in to trace the elusive animal.

A handful of nests were discovered along stretches of forests on the Cauvery River. These areas had good canopy cover comprised of Termanilia arjuna (muthee),  Madhuca longifolia (ippe), Pongamia pinata (karanj), Mangifera indica (mavu), Tamarindus indica (hunise) and other riverine tree species. Finally a lone grizzled
giant squirrel was encountered and photographed to establish the occurrence of this animal in the Hosur Forest Division.

Recently KANS member, Mr. Prasanna while passing through the Uganiyam range of the Hosur Forest Division was fortunate to spot three grizzled giant squirrels in the trees. A dozen nests were sighted in other parts of the forest on the same day.

KANS believes that the increased vigil, appointment of guards, watchers to  anti-poaching camps, establishment of check posts by the present DFO Mr.Ulaganathan and Ranger Sukumar may have led to a resurrection of the Grizzled giant squirrel population.

However it is too early to conclude with any certainty and solutions need to be found to vexing problems of intense cattle grazing, corralling, and other human disturbances that continue to disturb and pose serious threat to the Grizzled Giant Squirrel habitat.

Hosur Forest and Dharmapuri Forest Division hold great potential with vast forest cover, unique flora and fauna. KANS hopes that these parts will be soon be declared as the much awaited Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamilnadu.

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Kenneth Anderson Nature Society is a non profit NGO dedicated to Wildlife Conservation committed to the conservation, protection and rejuvenation of the Melagiris region.