Tribesmen of Western Ghats hand-raising Orphaned Grizzled Giant Squirrels
The Grizzled Giant Squirrels are a species endemic to the Western Ghats of India. It is in the same region that the native Paliyan tribe has been living for centuries. While modern civilization has touched their lives only recently, these tribesmen continue to harbor their affection for nature and all its creatures. That is why when a baby grizzled giant squirrel fall from a tree nest accidently, it is safely nurtured in the tribal homes.
The Paliyan are also known as Palaiyar or Pazhaiyarare and dwell in the western ghats of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The tribesmen nomadic in nature have for centuries called the forests their home, living in caves and crevasses and living off the natural resources. But over the past few years, their lifestyle has gradually shifted from being nomads to being traders of forest resources, and also bee keepers. This has allowed this scheduled tribe of India to be at par with the modern world.
But while their source of income and livelihood might have changed, the paliyans continue to be the people of the forest and take care of all of nature’s creatures in the same way that they would care for their own off springs.
In Shenbagathoppu in Tamil Nadu, the Paliyans are conservationists in their own right. They rescue young Grizzled Giant Squirrels that fall out of their nests or are orphaned. Instead of leaving the young one helpless, the tribesmen hand raise the orphans.
The baby squirrels are kept in baskets and hammocks much like they would keep their own children. They are also fed milk with a traditional vessel called paladai which is originally used as lamp in temples.
With a little help from the Wildlife Association of Rajapalyam (WAR) and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, the paliyans have become the natural protectors of a species that is endemic and threatened in this part of the world. In India there are less that 500 of grizzled giant squirrels left and to is not hard to fathom that each individual life saved is a major plus towards saving the entire species.
“Without any advanced equipment or facilities, the young ones are given milk using a ‘Paladai’ until they can feed by themselves,” says A Palaniraj, Forest Range Officer, Srivilliputhur. “The Paladai is a traditional oil lamp used in temples of southern India which doubles up as a feeding cup for human babies that don’t feed well.”
Dr Justus Joshua who has done his PhD on the Ecology of the Endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrel in Tamil Nadu says the species has been observed to survive well in the Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu inspite of its struggle in other parts of the western ghats.
“The primary reason for the spread is the shift in land use patterns from a previously tapioca dominated landscape to tree crops. Tree crops such as mango, coconut, gooseberry and tamarind are more profitable for the locals and at the same time provide an abundant supply of food which the squirrels benefit from,” informs Dr. Joshua.
About the Grizzled Giant Squirrel
The Grizzled giant squirrel is the smallest member of the giant squirrel family. It has a white tipped tail that gives the animal a grizzled appearance and that is why the name. Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and Appendix II of CITES, the main problem the species is facing today is habitat loss. It is only found in the Western Ghats in India and the highlands of south western Sri Lanka.
Related Stories:
Raised by Humans Elephant now part of Wild Herd
British Vets give Eyesight Back to Rescued Indian Bear
Researchers Rediscover Five Lost Frog species of India
Article reference: Wildlife Trust of India
Image courtesy: Devna Arora/ WTI
You are doing very good job! keep it going
Thank you Jude. Keep visitng.