This flying squirrel is still lost to science, but maybe not for much longer

There is usually very little about Re:wild’s Search for Lost Species that is simple. From defining what a lost species is, to obtaining the proper permits to do an expedition, to raising funds and then trekking through inhospitable landscapes to seek a needle in a haystack, every rediscovery feels a little bit like a miracle.

And then there are the challenges that are unique to each individual species. In the case of the search for the lost Namdapha Flying Squirrel, one of the world’s most wanted lost species, experts believe they are close — ever so close — to announcing the species’ rediscovery. But there’s a curveball in the shape of a furry doppelgänger: the Red Giant Flying Squirrel that looks a whole lot like our beloved Namdapha Flying Squirrel, but is a different species.

“Lost species rediscoveries rarely happen in a straightforward way, but usually wend and wind their way through a number of challenges before we can say with certainty that a lost species is no longer lost,” said Christina Biggs, Re:wild’s lost species officer. “The perseverance of our local partners, however, is a big part of what makes rediscoveries so sweet. We certainly hope this will be the case for the Namdapha Flying Squirrel, especially after all of the incredible work that our partners have already put in to find this species.”

The Aaranyak expedition team isn’t the first to look for the flying squirrel, which is likely to suffer from hunting and habitat destruction. Over the years, several other teams have set out in search of the species, but with no luck. During the first few months of the search, the Aaranyak team wanted to determine what type of habitat the squirrel most likely lives in to help inform their strategy for getting a photo of the evasive species.

After completing a comprehensive survey of the upper canopies in the forest, the team determined that the Namdapha Flying Squirrel is probably a riverine species, typically found close to the river.

“We realized that previous teams looked for this species in areas where they are actually unlikely to be found and where we were originally going to look,” Ahmed says. “So we redesigned our study to ensure that if the squirrel is still out there, we’d get a photo.”

“We are pretty sure that these photos are, in fact, the Namdapha Flying Squirrel,” Ahmed says. “But it’s not quite enough to say so conclusively. Our adventure continues and we hope we’ll be able to celebrate the rediscovery of the Namdapha Flying Squirrel soon.”

Since the photographs are not enough in this case to confirm the rediscovery of Namdapha Flying Squirrel, the expedition team has to turn to the next option: DNA.

“The next challenge will be to get some genetic samples to absolutely confirm this species has been found,” Kennerley says. “What we are trying to figure out now is how to get a sample like fur, scat or saliva from these flying squirrels. This will make setting up the camera traps seem quite easy in comparison.”

Ahmed and his team are currently working on designing a method to obtain DNA samples in the field. And if they are able to do that, they can compare that genetic material to the DNA of the individual collected in 1981 and that has since been stored in the Zoological Survey of India Museum in Kolkata, India.

“Flying squirrels are majestic animals and both species here make Namdapha National Park that much more special,” Ahmed says. “If we find the Namdapha Flying Squirrel, it will be a powerful flagship for conservation for both the park and other wildlife found here. And a great story to inspire hope for all of the other most wanted lost species.”

Special thanks to the Forest department Arunachal Pradesh for permits, the field director of Namdapha Tiger Reserve for providing local support, and team Aaranyak researcher Sourav Gupta and assistants Sourabh Mardi along with local guides, Erebo and Aphu for making this ongoing search possible.