Flying squirrel found near Pithoragarh
Flying squirrel found near Pithoragarh
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, May 17
in a rare sighting, a flying squirrel (petaurista,petaurista) was found and photographed by ‘Wings Foundation’ team in Chandak hills of Pithoragarh district early morning today.
“When our member Anil Mahra, was cycling near Chera village early morning today and he saw a flying squirrel sitting in a Oak tree. The squirrel was being followed by a group of monkeys, “said Jagdish Bhatt, Director of ‘Wings Foundation’.
“Though the Chandak region, like other parts of Himalayan, is a natural habitat of flying squirrel, but the squirrel has been photographed for the first time in Chandal region of district,” said Bhatt.
Chandak mountain, a 7100 feet high forest region near Pithoragarh district headquarter, is a treasure of various species of flora and fauna due to its being covered by dense traditional forests of Oak.” If the density and variety of traditional Oak forests remains intact, in Chandak region, various species of flora and fauna could flourish,” said Bhatt.
The flying squirrel is able to glide (not fly) upto 50 -60 meters from tree to tree using specific structure of its’ body.
