Shekaru

This photographs are very special to me clicked at Bhimashankar. BhimaShankar WildLife Sanctury was created in the Ambegaon and Khed Talukas of Pune District.In the Western Indian State of Maharashtra in order mainly to protect the habitat of the Indian Giant Squirrel, its area is 131 Sq. KM and is a part of the Western Ghats (Sahyadri Ranges). This sanctuary was created in 1984. The Sanctuary includes 9 tribal villages. The areas bio-diversity has been retained as it was preserved as a cluster of sacred Groves for generations. These Sacred Groves act as gene pools of this area, from where seeds were dispersed. In Ahupe- in tribal (Mahadev Koli) Village's sacred grove in the Sanctuary, in 1984, a Climber Khombhal- Xantolis Tomentosa was found to be 800-1000 years old.

The Indian Giant Squirrel or Malabar Giant Squirrel is a large tree squirrel species genus Ratufa native to India. it is large bodied diurnal, arobreal and herbivorous squirrel found in South Asia. It is called 'Shekru' in Marathi and is state animal of Maharashtra.

Family Life The Indian Giant Squirrel lives alone or in pairs. They build large globular nests of twigs and leaves, placing them on thinner branches where large predators cant get them. These nests become conspicuous in deciduous forests during the dry season. An individual may build several nests in small area of forest which are used as sleeping quarters, with one being used as a nursery.

Reproduction

Captive breeding of the Malayan Giant Squirrel , a close relative has indicated births in March, April, September and December. The young weigh 74.5 gms at birth and have a length of 27.3 cms. In Canara, the Indian Giant Squirrel has been spotted with young in March.

The Indian Giant Squirrel commonly known as Malabar Giant Squirrel is a large bodied tree Squirrel endemic to the forest of Peninsular India. The beautiful plumage colors and the characteristics long tail, about 2 ft in length, make it one of the popular species of squirrel.

It is however unfortunate that they are an endangered species classified in the "Near Threatened" category of IUCN Red List.