Malayan Giant Squirrel Ratufa

An adult Malayan Giant Squirrel Ratufa, in the prime of its life, was run over by a bus in Baghmara Reserve Forest in South Garo Hills district. Babloo Marak, staff of Samrakshan Trust came across the driver who was in the process of taking the carcass away to use it as meat. He confiscated the carcass and handed it over to the DFO Balpakram National Park Division, who registered a complaint against the driver. The Malayan Giant Squirrel once common in this region is under serious threat due to increased human pressure that results in fragmentation and reduction of its habitat as well as illegal hunting. Incidents like this road kill only increase the pressure on this and other endangered species in the region. Photo courtesy: Samrakshan Trust of Baghmara.