Wildlife enthusiasts spot giant flying squirrel in Gujarat's Polo forests

VADODARA: Wildlife lovers staying in northern region of Gujarat need not travel to eastern or southern parts of the state to sight a flying squirrel. A group of wildlife photographers got a pleasant surprise when they recently spotted an Indian giant flying squirrel in Polo forests located in Sabarkantha district. While it was recorded that Polo forests are home to flying squirrels, it is probably for the first time that they have been photographed. The group captured photos of the flying squirrel and intimated the forest department about it.

"It was a pleasant surprise to spot an Indian giant flying squirrel in the forest. The squirrel is a nocturnal and very shy creature. It is very difficult to spot them as they stay in dense forests. Records suggested that flying squirrels have been seen in Polo forests, but there was little photographic evidence," said Vickey Chauhan, who clicked photographs of the flying squirrel. He submitted the photographs to the forest officials.

Chauhan, who is a chartered accountant (CA) by profession, was accompanied by his friends Dr Meet Agrawal and Ketan Acharya, who, too, is a CA. The group often wanders into the forests of Ratanmahal, Shoolpaneshwar and the Dang to shoot wildlife. "We had gone to the Polo forests for photographing nocturnal animals. When we were returning late in the night on May 1, I heard something falling from trees at Abhapur village. We immediately stopped our car and flashed torch towards trees as we thought it may be a wild cat or some other animal," Chauhan told TOI.

"I almost jumped in excitement when I noticed a flying squirrel. It was a rare sight so I immediately took some photographs. We have been visiting forests in Gujarat for years and it can be safely said flying squirrels are usually spotted in Ratanmahal, Shoolpaneshwar and the Dang. But it's rarely seen in Polo forests," Chauhan said.

The flying squirrels tend to rest in tree-holes or shady canopies during the daytime and become active after the sun sets. They can be seen gliding from one tree to another in search of food. Their forefeet and hind-feet are connected by a thin membrane which helps them to jump from tall trees and glide like a parachute. They make crackling noises while feeding upon tough nuts and fruits thereby leave traces of half-eaten fruits & leaves on the ground.

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