Indian giant squirrel

During the ongoing All India Tiger Estimation 2026, forest officials recorded the sighting of the Indian giant squirrel in the Atwan region of the Pune forest division. The sighting is being seen as a positive indicator of ecological health and habitat quality in the forest landscape.

About the Indian Giant Squirrel (Shekru)

• Also known as the Malabar giant squirrel
• State animal of Maharashtra
• Locally called Shekru
• A large, multi-coloured arboreal squirrel species
• Endemic to India, found in forests and woodlands across parts of the Western and Central Ghats

Habitat and Distribution

• Prefers higher altitudes
• Found mainly in:
  • Tropical deciduous forests
  • Moist evergreen woodlands
• Distribution is considered fragmented because the species is highly sensitive to habitat degradation

Conservation Status

• Assessed for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2016
• Listed as “Least Concern”
• The status is based on:
  • Wide geographical distribution
  • Presumed large population
  • Presence in several protected areas
  • No evidence of rapid population decline

Ecological Importance

• Arboreal and elusive in nature
• Plays a vital role in forest regeneration
• Acts as an effective seed disperser, contributing to plant diversity and ecosystem stability

Source: IE