Rarest of the rare: People's awareness and perceptions about the woolly flying squirrel in Uttarakhand Himalaya, Northern India 珍稀中的珍稀:人们对印度北阿坎德邦喜马拉雅地区毛绒飞鼠的认知和看法

Abstract

The Western woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus) was rediscovered after seven decades of presumed extinction and remains one of the least studied mammalian species. This study was conducted in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India, and aimed to assess local communities' awareness of the species and their potential role in its conservation. From August 2023 to January 2024, we conducted surveys in four villages, interviewing 65 individuals from Pahadi and Nepali communities. Results revealed limited familiarity with the squirrel, highlighting the need for targeted conservation education. Despite extensive camera trap surveys, conclusive evidence of the species' presence was not found, prompting concerns about its population status in the study area. Our findings show the importance of further research and community engagement for effective conservation. This study emphasises the need to align conservation efforts with community involvement for sustainable outcomes.