Abstract

During a study on animal distribution in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, a detailed survey was made in the riverine (gallery) forests. A census, exclusively on the grizzled giant squirrel, Ratufa macroura, was conducted from 10 March 1990 to 14 March 1990. Approximately 2. 8 km2 of grizzled giant squirrel habitat was covered. In a total transect length of 40 km, 51 grizzled giant squirrels were sighted and 12 new nests of the species were also noted. The population of grizzled giant squirrel is estimated to be 150 animals in the sanctuary. The patchy distribution of the animals' habitat (limited by the treeless area since the rest of the sanctuary consists of dry deciduous scrub with interspersed grasslands) is discussed and strategies for immediate conservation measures to ensure the continued survival of the species are outlined