2022 batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Shivakumar Gangal has shared a captivating video of a flying squirrel in mid-flight, offering a rare glimpse into the life of this nocturnal rodent. The footage, shot at the Flying Squirrel Eco Camp in Pench Tiger Reserve’s Rukhad Buffer Range, shows the elusive animal gracefully gliding between trees.
In a post on social media, Gangal expressed his amazement at witnessing such a marvel of nature, saying, “If you had told me that this animal exists, two years ago when I joined the IFS, I would have laughed. Here it is, one of nature’s marvels.” The 12-second video begins with little more than flashlight-lit tree branches, but soon the flying squirrel dives gracefully from a tree, demonstrating its incredible gliding ability.
If you had told me that this animal exists, 2 years ago when I got selected in the Indian Forest Service, I would have laughed. Here it is, one of nature's marvels – "Flying Squirrel". The take off, the glide, the landing, every bit of it is a spectacle to witness. pic.twitter.com/njwmpsD6KC
— Shivakumar Gangal, IFS (@shivgangal_ifs) February 15, 2025
Flying squirrels, of which there are around 50 species globally, do not fly but glide, using a membrane of skin between their limbs called the patagium. This allows them to glide broadside through the air. India is home to 17 species of flying squirrels, with the Indian giant flying squirrel being one of the largest and most abundant.
This stunning footage is a rare and beautiful reminder of the wonders of wildlife in India’s forests.
