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Extinct Shrew Spotted: Nilgiris Wildlife Hope Ignited
5 Dec
Summary
- A shrew resembling the extinct Sonnerat's shrew was photographed in the Nilgiris.
- No specimen has ever been collected, only a 1813 description exists.
- Experts believe the photo shows a unique specimen, though confirmation requires genetic samples.
Wildlife biologists in India's Nilgiris Mountains are buzzing with excitement following a photographic encounter with a shrew potentially matching the long-lost Sonnerat's shrew. This species, described in 1813 near Puducherry, has never had a specimen collected, making this photograph the first credible evidence in over two centuries.
The image, captured near Ooty Lake, depicts a shrew with unique silky grey fur, a white mid-body band, and a stubby tail, features consistent with historical descriptions of the Sonnerat's shrew. International experts have reviewed the findings, noting the pelage pattern is unlike any known Indian shrew species.
Despite the compelling visual evidence, the shrew was not collected, and subsequent searches for more individuals have been unsuccessful. Researchers acknowledge the need for genetic samples to confirm the rediscovery and are expanding surveys into potential habitats across the Nilgiris and Eastern Ghats.
