This Mondays endangered species article focuses on the near threatened Asiatic Black Giant Squirrel scientifically known as the Ratufa bicolor. The species thats endemic to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam was first discovered back in 1778 by Dr Sparrman. While near threatened the species is known to inhabit northern South Asia, through southern China into much of mainland and western insular Southeast Asia. In South Asia, this species has been recorded widely distributed in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and West Bengal), and eastern Nepal. In China the species has been recorded from southern Yunnan, southern Guanxi, eastern Xizang and Hainan Island (Smith and Xie 2008). In Southeast Asia, it is widely but patchily distributed from Myanmar and Thailand, through Lao PDR, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Peninsular Malaysia (possibly a more contiguous range here), to Indonesia (Mentawi Islands, Sumatra, Billiton, Panaitan, Java and Bali). Populations are now beginning to decline in south east Asia of which conservationists are still unsure as to why. The species has declined so rapidly since last assessments back in 2006 it lead scientists to re-classify the species back in 2008 as [near threatened]. Thats quite a significant decline in such a short period of time, should further declines be noted in such a small space of time its quite likely the species will be re-classified again in the next five to eight years as probable endangered. However this is very early to state as yet. In Lao PDR it is recorded from most survey areas; however, populations are now so low in some areas that it has not been recorded in recent surveys, including Sangthong District, Nam Et and Phou Louey NBCAs. It was found to be locally common during a survey in 1994-95 of the the Nadi Limestone area in Lao PDR by researcher Dr Evans in (2000). It is still widespread and abundant in Cambodia, largely as hunting has not yet impacted populations in this country. This species was rarely found in a survey conducted by Saiful and Nordin (2004) in Peninsular Malaysia (Weng River catchment area). This species is rare and declining on Java, where it is found only in remote areas (away from human habitation) within remaining patches of forest (primary and secondary) This species is declining in population, in parallel with forest loss on Java. In India the species is included in Phase II of the Wildlife Protection Act. Listed threats are: Human induced habitat degradation due to shifting (jhum) agriculture practices, small-scale logging, clear-cutting, forest fires, expansion of human settlement, harvesting for local consumption have been observed to be major threats for this species in South Asia. It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss in China. This species is especially vulnerable to hunting and habitat loss (often through logging operations) in Lao PDR, Viet Nam and Thailand. This species was formerly one of the most commonly sold mammals in the That Luang fresh food market in Vientiane Hunting pressure is predicted to increase in Cambodia, as following the overharvesting of large bodied mammals, smaller species are now being targeted. It is not hunted on Java, as people are generally aware of the legislation protecting this species; however, habitat loss remains a considerable threat. In all its quite likely that hunting will see this species pushed to near extinction should it not be made illegal in listed hunting ranges. Many hunters argue with us that such a sport or hunting to feed their family has not seen any such species of animal decline to the point its gone extinct. Its quite likely the Black Giant Squirrel will be yet another statistic. Thank you for reading... Chief Executive Officer. International Animal Rescue Foundation Asia.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 14:39:49 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015