1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Their natural habitat within Namdapha National Park is facing several threats, including deforestation and fragmentation due to logging, infrastructure development, and agricultural expansion. These activities reduce available suitable habitat and result in the isolation of populations.
2. Hunting and Trapping: Namdapha flying squirrels have historically been hunted for their fur and meat by local communities. Despite being protected within the national park, illegal hunting still poses a threat, particularly along the fringes of the park. Their arboreal nature makes them vulnerable to traps set for other animals as well.
3. Bamboo Availability: Namdapha flying squirrels rely heavily on certain bamboo species for food, shelter, and nesting. Changes in bamboo flowering and fruiting patterns, affected by climate change and other factors, can influence their food availability and consequently impact their populations.
4. Climate Change: Shifting climatic conditions, including changes in temperature and precipitation, can affect the availability of their food resources and suitable habitat. Extreme weather events, such as cyclones, can also damage or destroy their tree hollows, further exacerbating their vulnerability.
5. Limited Distribution: Namdapha flying squirrels are restricted to specific regions within Namdapha National Park. Their relatively small geographic range makes them more vulnerable to threats compared to species with broader distributions.
6. Poor Understanding and Research: Despite their endangered status, relatively limited research has been conducted on the ecology, behavior, and population status of Namdapha flying squirrels. A lack of detailed information hampers effective conservation efforts.
To mitigate these threats and ensure the survival of Namdapha flying squirrels, concerted conservation efforts are needed, including habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, habitat restoration, and increased research to better understand their ecology and population trends.