36 new wildlife records put Keralam’s Peechi’s biodiversity in the spotlight

A four-day wildlife survey examined three protected areas in Kerala: Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, Peechi–Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary and Chulannur Peafowl Sanctuary. Conducted from October 8 to 11, it used 10 base camps. The survey matters because it updated species records and showed the landscape supports many Western Ghats endemics.

Researchers recorded 395 species of birds, butterflies and odonates. Birds contributed 165 species, butterflies 174 and odonates 56. The survey added 36 species to earlier checklists. These included the Malabar Lark, Malabar Banded Peacock and Travancore Bambootail, highlighting the value of careful field observation and taxonomic verification.

The team also recorded 24 species endemic to the Western Ghats. Beyond the main groups, it found 52 moth species, 22 ant species, five cicadas and around 30 spider species. Tigers, leopards, Asian elephants and gaur were also present. A pre-monsoon survey has been proposed for comparison.

A biodiversity checklist is a record of the species observed in a particular place. It can cover groups such as birds, butterflies or dragonflies and damselflies. Checklists provide a baseline for understanding what lives in an ecosystem. They also help researchers and forest managers track changes over time.

When species are added, the earlier list was incomplete or new evidence has confirmed species that were not previously recorded there. In Peechi’s survey, 36 species were added to existing checklists. Examples included the Malabar Lark among birds, the Sahyadri Plain Puffin among butterflies and the Indian Emerald among odonates. Field observations and taxonomic verification supported these additions.

New checklist records do not necessarily mean the species recently arrived. They may reflect seasonal activity, improved search effort or earlier identification gaps. Repeated surveys can reveal more species and strengthen habitat management. They also make future comparisons more reliable across seasons and years.

Across the three sanctuaries, the survey documented 395 species in its three principal groups: birds, butterflies and odonates. It also recorded 24 species endemic to the Western Ghats. These figures provide a measurable picture of the landscape’s biological richness and create a baseline for later monitoring.

Birdwatchers recorded 165 species, including five Western Ghats endemics such as the Malabar Grey Hornbill and Malabar Parakeet. Butterflies formed the largest group, with 174 species and 11 endemics, including the Malabar Banded Peacock and Malabar Rose. Odonate observers found 56 species, including eight endemics such as the Travancore Bambootail.

The figures add up to the reported 395 species and 24 endemics. The survey also recorded moths, ants, cicadas and spiders, but those groups were reported separately. A proposed pre-monsoon survey could add seasonal context to these totals.

Being endemic to the Western Ghats means a species is restricted to that mountain region, rather than being naturally widespread across many places. The article identifies 24 such species in the survey. Their presence shows that Peechi, Chimmony and Chulannur contain habitats important to the region’s distinctive wildlife.

Examples include the Malabar Grey Hornbill and Malabar Barbet among birds, the Malabar Banded Peacock among butterflies and the Travancore Bambootail among odonates. These species were recorded within the surveyed sanctuaries. Their limited regional distribution makes accurate records especially valuable for understanding where they occur and how their habitats are used.

Endemic species are especially important for conservation because threats in their restricted range can affect much of their global population. The article links these records to habitat management and future monitoring. Repeated inventories can show whether endemic species remain present and help managers detect changes in their habitats.

The survey was conducted after the southwest monsoon, so it captured wildlife under a particular seasonal set of conditions. The article specifically presents the October work as a seasonal baseline. This matters because butterflies, odonates and other invertebrates can show changes in species composition, abundance, breeding activity and habitat use across the year.

The October survey recorded 174 butterfly species and 56 odonate species. It also found additions such as the Malabar Banded Peacock and Travancore Bambootail. Their detection demonstrates how a focused survey after the monsoon can document species that may be missed during another period. The work combined field observations with taxonomic verification.

October’s results are useful, but they represent only one seasonal snapshot. The team proposed a complementary pre-monsoon survey. Comparing both periods could distinguish resident species from seasonal visitors and improve detection of species missed during individual assessments.

Repeating the survey before the next monsoon would turn one seasonal snapshot into a comparison. Managers could examine changes in species composition, abundance, breeding activity and habitat use. This is especially useful for butterflies, odonates and other invertebrates, which formed a large part of the October records.

For example, October produced records of 174 butterfly species and 56 odonate species, including several checklist additions. A pre-monsoon survey could show whether those species remain present, appear in different numbers or use different habitats. Comparing results could also distinguish resident species from seasonal visitors and identify species missed in either survey.

The comparison would strengthen long-term monitoring of the Peechi–Vazhani and Chimmony landscapes. It could help managers plan habitat actions using evidence from more than one season. The article presents repeated surveys as essential for improving wildlife knowledge and future habitat management.

Systematic species surveys protect ecosystems by making their wildlife measurable. They show which species occur, where they are found and how records change over time. This evidence can guide habitat management even when the survey itself does not alter the forest. It also helps identify conservation priorities.

In Peechi, the team used 10 base camps and recorded 395 birds, butterflies and odonates. The survey added 36 species to existing checklists and documented 24 Western Ghats endemics. These findings strengthened knowledge of the landscape and provided evidence for future monitoring. Taxonomic verification helped ensure that records were reliable.

Repeated surveys can reveal seasonal differences, resident species and missed records. The proposed pre-monsoon assessment would complement the October baseline. Together, such results could support evidence-based management of Peechi–Vazhani and Chimmony, while tracking species composition, abundance, breeding activity and habitat use over time.