Faunal survey uncovers new species in Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary

Key Highlights

• With these additions, Karimpuzha has now documented 247 bird species across multiple surveys since its formation five years ago.
• Pallid harrier Butterfly surveys recorded 20 new additions, taking the sanctuary’s total butterfly diversity to 223 species.
• Noteworthy records included the Black angle, Common grass dart, Indian dartlet, Giant red-eye, Moore’s ace, Malabar flash, White-tipped lineblue, Red admiral, Yellow jack sailor, Small leopard, Common sailor, Black rajah, and Small grass yellow.
• Researchers also observed notable altitudinal migration of butterflies, particularly the Common albatross, Lesser albatross, and Plain puffin, at locations such as Mukurthi, Meenmutty, Saivila, and Kannikai, indicating seasonal movement across elevation gradients.
• Sahyadri small leopard The survey documented seven new odonate records, including Merogomphus tamaracherriensis, Potamarcha congener, Rhodothemis rufa, Tetrathemis platyptera, Urothemis signata, Ceriagrion coromandelianum and Ceriagrion rubiae.