The Malabar Giant Squirrel, a.k.a. Ratufa indica, is a sight to behold with its regal red velvet pelt and languid tail that trails it like a cape. | Special Arrangement

Ratufa indica is a strict herbivore. The way to its heart is through a good vegetarian meal, although it can take care of itself, thanks very much. | K. Ananthan

In Munnar’s verdant tea estates it’s becoming increasingly clear that certain species of wildlife can largely coexist with humans if left alone. A case in point is the gorgeous Malabar giant squirrel. This captivatingly colourful denizen of the local ‘shola’ forests is a sight to behold as it takes agile leaps from bough to bough emitting its signature call — a series of high-pitched and staccato chirrups. And if one’s fortunate enough to see it sunning itself, one will be entranced by its russet, tawny and black-hued coat, not to mention its long, bushy tail that trails it elegantly like a bridal train.

It’s a fascinating and highly endangered species endemic to the forests of South India. Arboreal and diurnal in its habits, it’s a strict herbivore that’s known to raid fruit trees, showing a marked preference for the luscious jackfruit and passion fruit in particular. It’s not known to be territorial (in the sense that tigers are) but ranges freely through deciduous and evergreen forests, feeding mostly on tender foliage and wild fruit. When it senses danger it freezes and flattens itself against a tree trunk or branch, blending perfectly with its surroundings. Apart from humans, it has few predators in the wilds.

A Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) is alert to its surroundings, perched on a tree at Chadivayal near Siruvani, Tamil Nadu. | K. Ananthan

In Munnar’s remote jungles, the Malabar giant squirrel quite naturally tends to flee at the sight of humans, being unaccustomed to their presence. However, those found near human habitations are far more trusting and appear to be quite at home with people around them — a sight that would surely warm the cockles of a nature-lover’s heart.

Even a Least-Concern species faces a threat from poachers who value its pelt and taste. | M. Sathyamoorthy

Indeed, during the British era, several planters’ bungalows in Munnar had a family of these squirrels in residence in the ‘sholas’ adjacent to them. This can still be seen in the vicinity of a few local bungalows, constant familiarity with humans having emboldened the squirrels over the years.

Incidentally, I knew a local British planter and his wife — both committed conservationists — who used to painstakingly keep track of the progeny of the Malabar giant squirrels near their bungalow in Munnar and were fiercely protective of them, especially where catapult-armed boys roamed.

Last year, I was delighted to find a full-grown one nonchalantly feeding in a tree flanking a planter’s bungalow occupied by my son. Brooding meditatively between spells of munching, it seemed totally unafraid despite the presence of my family. Soon, we were thrilled to find its twiggy nest high up in another tree in the compound. Sadly, this scene of serene domesticity was shattered the very next day by a wind-fanned forest fire that swept past the bungalow. The squirrel disappeared for good, abandoning its nest.

Wild animals face sufficient threat from natural disasters without poachers adding to their woes. | M.A. Sriram

Similarly, a senior physician working in Munnar tells me that quite often he sees a couple of Malabar giant squirrels gorging on the passion fruit in his garden, unmindful of the gardener working just below them. In fact, thanks to their voracity, the doctor and his wife seldom get to relish the luscious fruit.

This lack of fear of humans is quite understandable since perhaps nowhere are the Malabar giant squirrels (and other species of wildlife) better protected than in Munnar’s tea estates, where the planters have their own wildlife conservation association — an active NGO that works closely with the Wildlife Division of the Kerala Forest Department and has played a pivotal role in apprehending poachers in the past.

Founded in 1928 by Munnar’s farsighted British planters, the Munnar-based High Range Wildlife & Environment Preservation Association steadfastly continues to spread awareness, amongst the local populace, of the urgent need for conservation of biodiversity. And this ongoing campaign has received a significant fillip with all tea estates and factories in Munnar having obtained the coveted Rainforest Alliance certification. One of the main prerequisites for this globally-recognised certification is a proven track-record in conservation of biodiversity.

Yet, with the ever-increasing influx of tourists into Munnar, the threat of poaching looms large, especially in the case of the tamer squirrels that are unafraid of humans. In the 1970s, a poacher was apprehended with a small cache of squirrel pelts. During interrogation, he admitted that he was meeting a demand not just for their pelts but also for their meat which he claimed tasted better than chicken.

For being a wild species, the Malabar giant squirrel has shown that it is capable of being comfortable around and trusting human beings. | Special Arrangement

Deployment of forest guards around the squirrels’ habitats — especially those close to housing colonies — would definitely go a long way in preempting poaching, more so during the peak tourist season. Banning entry into ‘sholas’ sheltering the squirrels would also help. Equally important, the use — or rather, misuse — of powerful air-rifles should be monitored by the Forest Department. These are commonly seen at local wayside ‘shooting galleries’ run for the benefit of tourists. And since an air-rifle doesn’t need a licence, their numbers appear to be on the rise in Munnar. An air-rifle may not kill a squirrel outright but it can seriously injure or maim it for life.

Faced with destruction of its habitat due to extensive ‘shola’ deforestation and degradation, the Malabar giant squirrel has now, quite surprisingly, taken to nesting in eucalyptus trees raised by the tea estates — something it has never been known to do earlier. Several of these nests can be spotted in a towering eucalyptus plantation beside a busy thoroughfare near Munnar — proof of the squirrel’s adaptability in the face of adversely changing circumstances. It’s pertinent to mention here that the High Range Wildlife & Environment Preservation Association is also actively undertaking a regeneration programme for degraded ‘sholas’ in the tea estates in a bid to remedy this issue. Though an inevitably slow process, the results of earlier years’ efforts are now becoming apparent.

All in all, living in close proximity to people in Munnar, the Malabar giant squirrel exemplifies the fact that certain species of wildlife can be surprisingly trustful of humans if they don’t feel threatened by them. In a striking parallel, surely we humans, too, would feel threatened if, in a dramatic reversal of roles, we should ever find ourselves in a world dominated by extraterrestrials — which is probably how wild animals view us.