Finally,endangered tree shrew caught on camera

Since entry to Nicobar islands is restricted and is allowed only after tedious formal permissions from government authorities,and considering the logistics involved,any recent records of poorly known,endemic and endangered species like Nicobar Tree Shrew are valuable,Pande told The Indian Express.

A pair of the tree shrews was seen on a tree in the rainforest about 12 km from Campbell bay. The pair was quite active and the two members were seen chasing each other. They were seen preferably keeping to the shady parts. The pair disappeared as they moved away to another tree. The species was not seen again during our entire survey thereafter on this island,recalls Pande. The rare photograph was taken by Pande and it is perhaps the first detailed visual documentation of this species in the wild in its natural habitat on Great Nicobar island. Since data is deficient about this species,it is always vital that the mammal is listed as an endangered species.

The ornithologists team that also included Niranjan Sant and Shivkumar Pednekar have urged the government to include this species in the Wild Life (Protection) Act as it faced a high risk of extinction.

There is nothing known about its nesting,reproductive biology,feeding behaviour and there are no captive stocks of the Nicobar Tree Shrew. The ornithologists have also recommended research,management and conservation measures like systematic surveys and taxonomic studies.