First photographic record of Hoary-bellied Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus (I. Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, 1832) (Mammalia: Rodentia: Sciuridae) from Banke National Park, Nepal

Abstract

South Asia’s forest ecosystem is home to a high diversity and endemism of squirrels. The Hoary-bellied Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus dwells in patches of dense to moderately dense evergreen forests in mid-canopy temperate, tropical, and subtropical moist habitats including riverine woodland, mixed broad-leaf forest zone, central and eastern Siwalik foothills, Mahabharat range, and modified and altered habitats, settlements as well as farmlands in Nepal. The species is listed under the Least Concern category in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The existing IUCN distribution map does not provide the baseline records or data on the status and distribution of the species in the western part of Nepal. Opportunistic observation was done during anti-poaching field operations and wildlife monitoring work. The current record is the first photographic evidence of the Hoary-bellied Squirrel from Banke National Park.