Species in News- 17th May 2025

Indian Yak

In News: Indian scientists from four ICAR institutions have achieved a major breakthrough by assembling the first-ever chromosome-level genome of the Indian yak (Bos grunniens). This high-resolution genomic map will significantly advance breeding, conservation, and scientific understanding of the yak’s unique adaptations to harsh Himalayan environments, supporting sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity in high-altitude regions. 

About the Indian Yak: 

The Indian yak (Bos grunniens) is a long-haired, sturdy bovine species native to the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. It plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of people living in these challenging environments.

• Habitat and Distribution

• • • Native Range: Himalayan regions of India, including Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
    • Altitude: Typically found at elevations between 3,000 and 5,500 meters.
    • Climate Adaptation: Exceptionally adapted to cold, low-oxygen, and rugged mountain conditions.

• Physical Characteristics

• • • Size: Large, robust body with a thick coat of long hair.
    • Color: Usually black or brown, with some white markings.
    • Distinct Features: Humped shoulders, large horns, and a bushy tail.

• Economic and Cultural Importance

• • • Livelihood: Provides milk, meat, fiber (wool), hide, and dung (used as fuel).
    • Transport: Used as a pack animal for carrying goods across mountainous terrain.
    • Cultural Significance: Integral to the traditions and festivals of Himalayan communities.

• Conservation Status

• Threats: Declining population due to crossbreeding, habitat loss, and changing climate.
• Conservation Efforts: Initiatives by ICAR and other organizations to preserve pure yak breeds and promote sustainable management practices.

News Source: The Hindu

Indian Grey Wolf

In News: In the Kadbanwadi grassland of the Deccan Plateau, Pune, Maharashtra, the Indian grey wolf-a vital apex predator-faces a rapid population decline.

About: 

The Indian Grey Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is a subspecies of the grey wolf native to the Indian subcontinent. Known for its adaptability, it plays an important role in the ecosystem as a top predator in arid and semi-arid regions.

• Habitat and Distribution

• • • Geographical Range: Found primarily in India, Pakistan, Nepal, and parts of Iran and the Middle East.
    • Preferred Habitat: Dry grasslands, scrub forests, semi-deserts, and open plains.
    • Altitude Range: From plains up to moderate elevations, typically below 2,000 meters.

• Physical Characteristics

• Size: Smaller and more slender than the Himalayan or Eurasian grey wolves.
• Color: Coat varies from grey to light brown with a reddish tint, often with a lighter underbelly.
• Distinct Features: Long legs, narrow muzzle, and relatively large ears adapted for heat dissipation.

• Behavior and Diet

• • • Social Structure: Typically lives in small packs or pairs.
    • Diet: Carnivorous, feeding on small to medium-sized mammals such as rodents, hares, and occasionally livestock.
    • Hunting: Opportunistic hunter, often hunts at night or dawn.

• Ecological Importance

• Role: Controls populations of herbivores and rodents, maintaining ecological balance.
• Indicator Species: Its presence indicates a healthy ecosystem.

• Conservation Status

• • IUCN Status: Listed as Least Concern globally but faces regional threats.
  • Threats: Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and depletion of prey.
  • Conservation Efforts: Protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of India, with ongoing efforts to mitigate conflict and promote coexistence.

• Cultural Significance

• • Revered and feared in folklore and rural communities, often symbolizing wilderness and survival.

 News Source: The Hindu

Musk Deer

In News: Rohan Chakravarty, through his acclaimed series “Green Humour,” has used cartoons and illustrations to spotlight the plight of the endangered Himalayan musk deer, particularly the grave threat posed by poaching for its highly prized musk pods. 

About: 

The musk deer is a small, shy, and primitive deer species known for the musk gland found in males, which produces a valuable scent used in perfumes and traditional medicine. Unlike true deer, musk deer lack antlers and are considered a unique evolutionary lineage.

• Species and Distribution
  • Key Species in India: Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster), Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus), and Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster).
  • Global Range: Found across the Himalayas, Central Asia, Siberia, and parts of China and Mongolia.
  • Habitat: Prefers steep, forested, and alpine slopes at elevations between 2,500 and 4,500 meters.
• Physical Characteristics
  • Size: Small, weighing 7–17 kg, with a body length of 80–100 cm.
  • Appearance: Brownish-grey fur, elongated upper canines (tusk-like in males), and a stocky build.
  • Distinct Features: No antlers; males possess a musk gland near the abdomen.
• Behavior and Diet
  • Activity: Mostly solitary and nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
  • Diet: Herbivorous, feeding on grasses, leaves, twigs, mosses, and lichens.
  • Territoriality: Males are highly territorial, marking boundaries with musk.
• Ecological and Economic Importance
  • Ecological Role: Contributes to forest ecology by aiding seed dispersal and providing prey for predators.
  • Economic Value: Musk is highly prized in perfumery and traditional medicine, leading to illegal hunting and trade.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN Status: Most species are listed as Endangered or Vulnerable.
  • Threats: Poaching for musk, habitat loss, and fragmentation.
  • Protection: Protected under CITES Appendix I and the Wildlife Protection Act of India; several sanctuaries and breeding programs have been established.
• Conservation Efforts
  • Anti-poaching Measures: Increased patrolling and law enforcement in key habitats.
  • Captive Breeding: Programs to breed musk deer in captivity and reintroduce them to the wild.
  • Community Involvement: Local participation in conservation and alternative livelihood programs.

Source: The Hindu

Woolly Flying Squirrel

In News: The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department has captured the first-ever photographic evidence of the elusive Woolly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus) in the Miyar Valley of Lahaul and Spiti district, marking a significant milestone for wildlife conservation in the region. 

About: 

The Woolly Flying Squirrel, scientifically known as Eupetaurus cinereus, is one of the rarest and least known mammals in Asia. It is the largest flying squirrel species, the longest squirrel, and the heaviest among all gliding mammals. This species is endemic to the northwestern Himalayas, including parts of northern Pakistan and northwestern India.

• Physical Characteristics

• • • Covered with a debnse, silky coat of straight fur.
    • Dorsal pelage is blue-gray, while the underside is pale gray.
    • Creamy white hairs cover the throat and ears.
    • Soles of the feet are covered with dense black fur except for the pinkish-brown toe pads.
    • Like other flying squirrels, it has elastic membranes connecting the fore and hind legs, enabling it to glide effectively.

• Habitat and Distribution

• • • Inhabits remote, fragmented habitats within a narrow elevational band of dry conifer woodlands.
    • Found on steep cliffs, caves, and crevices in dry conifer forests.
    • Distribution mainly in northern Pakistan (areas like Gilgit, Chitral, Astor) and northwestern India (recent photographic evidence from Miyar Valley, Himachal Pradesh).
    • Prefers elevations roughly between 2,400 and 4,800 meters.

• Conservation Status

• • • Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to its limited range and habitat fragmentation.
    • Threatened by habitat degradation, deforestation, and human disturbances.
    • Not explicitly listed under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

• Rediscovery and Recent Developments

• • • Once believed extinct, it was rediscovered in 1994 after nearly seventy years without confirmed sightings.
    • In late 2024, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department captured the first-ever photographic evidence of the Woolly Flying Squirrel in the Miyar Valley, Lahaul and Spiti district, marking a significant milestone for conservation in India.

• Ecological Importance

• • As a large gliding mammal, it plays a unique role in the Himalayan ecosystem.
  • Its diet mainly consists of pine needles and other vegetation, adapted to its harsh mountain habitat.

News Source: DH

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