A comprehensive wildlife survey conducted across Kerala’s Peechi Wildlife Division has documented 395 species of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, adding 36 species to the existing biodiversity checklists of the surveyed forest areas. The findings highlight the remarkable ecological richness of the Western Ghats and the importance of systematic wildlife monitoring in Kerala’s protected forests.
The four-day survey, conducted from 8 to 11 October 2026, was jointly organised by the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department and the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), Thiruvananthapuram. Researchers, forest officials and volunteers surveyed three protected areas in Thrissur district, recording several species endemic to the Western Ghats alongside migratory birds and other wildlife.
The survey documented 165 bird species, 174 butterfly species and 56 dragonfly and damselfly species. The 36 additions comprised eight birds, 22 butterflies and six dragonflies and damselflies. These were additions to existing local records rather than species newly discovered by science.
Wildlife Survey Covers Three Protected Forests in Thrissur
The biodiversity assessment covered Peechi–Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary and Chulannur Peafowl Sanctuary, all administered within the Peechi Wildlife Division.
Survey teams operated from ten designated base camps, allowing researchers to examine different habitats and document wildlife across multiple locations.
The surveyed landscapes include moist deciduous forests, evergreen vegetation, grasslands, streams and other habitats supporting diverse animal populations.
The fieldwork focused primarily on birds, butterflies and odonates, the scientific group that includes dragonflies and damselflies. Researchers also recorded observations of several additional insect groups and signs of larger mammals.
The survey took place during the post-monsoon period, when seasonal vegetation growth and the availability of water create favourable conditions for observing many wildlife species.
By combining field observations across different habitats, the participating teams developed an updated picture of the region’s biodiversity.
Survey Records 165 Bird Species, Including Western Ghats Endemics
Bird diversity was a major component of the assessment, with researchers recording 165 species, including eight additions to the existing checklists.
Among the noteworthy observations were the Malabar lark, purple heron, Siberian stonechat and eastern yellow wagtail. These records reflect the diversity of habitats available within the surveyed landscapes, ranging from forest interiors to open areas and wetland environments.
The survey also documented five bird species endemic to the Western Ghats. These included the Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar parakeet, white-bellied treepie, Malabar barbet and crimson-backed sunbird.
Endemic species are particularly important in biodiversity conservation because their natural geographical distribution is restricted to specific regions. The Western Ghats support numerous such species, many of which depend on the continued availability of suitable forest habitats.
The documentation of these birds strengthens the existing biodiversity records and provides useful information for monitoring habitat conditions.
The presence of resident forest birds alongside seasonal visitors also demonstrates the importance of maintaining a variety of habitats within protected landscapes.
Butterfly Survey Records 174 Species and 22 New Checklist Entries
Butterflies formed the largest group documented during the survey, with researchers identifying 174 species, including 22 additions to the existing checklists.
Notable records included the Sahyadri plain puffin, common map, Sahyadri colour sergeant, bicolor ace and orange-spotted ace.
The survey also recorded eleven butterfly species endemic to the Western Ghats. Among them were the Malabar banded peacock, Malabar rose, Sahyadri lacewing, southern blue oakleaf, Travancore evening brown and Shiva sunbeam.
Butterflies contribute to forest ecosystems through pollination and their participation in complex food webs. Their populations also respond to changes in vegetation, seasonal conditions and habitat quality.
Different butterfly species depend on particular plants during their larval stages, making the availability of native vegetation important for maintaining healthy populations.
The extensive butterfly diversity recorded during the Peechi survey highlights the ecological significance of the region’s forest vegetation and the variety of habitats available to insects.
The addition of 22 species to existing local checklists also demonstrates the value of repeated scientific surveys, particularly for smaller wildlife groups that may receive less attention than large mammals and birds.
Dragonfly and Damselfly Survey Records 56 Species
Researchers documented 56 species of dragonflies and damselflies, including six additions to the existing biodiversity checklists.
The newly recorded entries included the Indian emerald, Kodagu clubtail, spotted torrent-hawk, Coorg bamboo-tail, Malabar bamboo-tail and blood-spotted reedtail.
The survey also identified eight odonate species endemic to the Western Ghats, including the ruby-tailed hawklet, Fraser’s torrent-dart, Travancore bamboo-tail and saffron reedtail.
Dragonflies and damselflies are important components of freshwater ecosystems because their aquatic larval stages depend on suitable water habitats.
Many species are associated with forest streams, ponds, wetlands and other freshwater environments. Their distribution can provide valuable information about habitat conditions and ecological diversity.
These insects also contribute to natural food webs by feeding on smaller organisms and serving as prey for birds, amphibians and other animals.
The diversity documented in Peechi’s forests and associated aquatic habitats reinforces the importance of protecting freshwater ecosystems alongside terrestrial forest vegetation.
Survey Also Documents Moths, Ants, Spiders and Other Wildlife
Although the principal survey focused on three major wildlife groups, researchers also recorded additional animal diversity across the protected areas.
The field teams documented 52 moth species, 22 ant species, five cricket species and approximately 30 spider species.
These observations add another dimension to the region’s biodiversity records and demonstrate the importance of studying lesser-known animal groups.
Moths contribute to pollination and serve as food for several nocturnal predators. Ants perform important ecological functions, including soil disturbance, nutrient movement and interactions with other organisms.
Spiders help regulate populations of smaller insects, while crickets and related groups form part of the complex ecological relationships found in forest environments.
Although these animals are often overlooked in conventional wildlife reporting, their abundance and diversity are important characteristics of functioning ecosystems.
The additional observations also demonstrate how multi-group wildlife surveys can provide a broader understanding of biodiversity than assessments concentrating on a single category of animals.
Signs of Tigers, Leopards, Elephants and Gaur Recorded
The survey teams also documented evidence of larger mammals inhabiting the protected forest landscapes.
Signs of tigers, leopards, elephant herds and gaur were recorded during field observations, confirming the continued importance of these forests as habitats for large wildlife.
The presence of large herbivores and carnivores reflects the ecological relationships that connect different components of the forest ecosystem.
Elephants and gaur depend on suitable vegetation and access to water, while carnivores such as tigers and leopards require adequate prey populations and secure habitat.
The documentation of these animals alongside extensive bird and insect diversity highlights the importance of conserving entire forest landscapes rather than individual species in isolation.
Maintaining ecological connectivity between protected areas is particularly important for animals that move across large territories.
The Peechi Wildlife Division’s forests form part of the wider Western Ghats landscape, where habitat protection and scientific monitoring remain essential components of long-term conservation.
Kerala Forest Department and TNHS Coordinate Scientific Survey
The survey was conducted under the leadership of Peechi Wildlife Division Warden M. K. Ranjith, with the participation of forest officials and wildlife researchers.
Forest officials T. N. Rajesh, K. M. Mohammed Rafi and Saleesh Menachery participated in the programme, while the Travancore Nature History Society provided scientific and technical coordination.
TNHS researchers, including Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan and research associate Anila V. M., contributed to the survey’s scientific documentation and species identification.
The collaborative exercise brought together institutional forest management experience and specialised knowledge of wildlife taxonomy and field identification.
According to the organisers, repeated biodiversity surveys are essential for developing comprehensive wildlife records and understanding changes in species distribution.
Accurate identification and verification of species are particularly important when updating checklists, as some animals may be difficult to distinguish without specialised taxonomic expertise.
The survey demonstrates the value of cooperation between government forest departments, scientific organisations and experienced naturalists in strengthening biodiversity documentation.
Post-Monsoon Survey Establishes Baseline for Future Research
The October fieldwork was conducted during the post-monsoon season to develop baseline information about wildlife diversity in the surveyed protected areas.
Seasonal variations can influence the visibility, abundance and behaviour of different animal groups. Birds may change their distribution during migration periods, while butterfly and dragonfly activity can vary depending on rainfall, temperature and vegetation conditions.
Researchers have therefore recommended conducting another biodiversity survey during the pre-monsoon season.
Comparing observations from different seasons can help identify changes in species occurrence and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the region’s wildlife.
Repeated surveys also allow conservation authorities to update existing records, identify habitats supporting endemic species and detect potential changes in ecological conditions.
Over time, such information can contribute to habitat management, wildlife conservation planning and scientific research.
Western Ghats Biodiversity Gains from Systematic Documentation
The Western Ghats are among the world’s important biodiversity regions, supporting numerous endemic plants and animals across a wide range of ecological environments.
Kerala’s protected forests form an important part of this landscape, preserving habitats that support both widely distributed wildlife and species with restricted geographical ranges.
The Peechi survey’s documentation of Western Ghats endemic birds, butterflies and odonates demonstrates the ecological importance of these protected areas.
The findings also highlight the contribution of systematic fieldwork to understanding biodiversity that may otherwise remain poorly documented.
Adding species to an existing checklist does not necessarily indicate that the animals have recently entered the region. Many may have been present for years but remained undocumented because of seasonal occurrence, identification difficulties or limited previous survey coverage.
Scientific surveys help address these gaps by producing updated records that can support future conservation decisions.
Peechi Survey Strengthens Kerala’s Wildlife Conservation Knowledge
The documentation of 395 species and the addition of 36 entries to existing biodiversity checklists represent an important achievement for wildlife research in Kerala.
The findings demonstrate the remarkable diversity of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies inhabiting the Peechi Wildlife Division’s protected forests.
The additional observations of moths, ants, spiders and large mammals further reinforce the ecological significance of these landscapes.
By bringing together forest officials, researchers and experienced naturalists, the survey has strengthened the scientific information available for conservation planning and long-term wildlife monitoring.
The Peechi biodiversity survey highlights the extraordinary natural wealth of Kerala’s Western Ghats and demonstrates how systematic scientific documentation can support stronger habitat protection, informed forest management and the continued conservation of India’s wildlife heritage.
References
- The New Indian Express — 395 Winged Species Recorded in Peechi Forest Survey, 20 October 2026.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2026/Oct/20/395-winged-species-recorded-in-peechi-forest-survey - The Times of India — Wildlife Survey at Peechi Adds 36 Species to Existing Checklist, 18 October 2026.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/wildlife-survey-at-peechi-adds-36-species-to-existing-checklist/articleshow/135031851.cms - Onmanorama — Peechi Wildlife Survey Records 395 Species, Adds 36 to List, 17 October 2026.
https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/10/17/peechi-wildlife-survey-records-395-species-adds-36-to-list.html - Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department — Official information on Peechi Wildlife Division and its protected forest areas.
https://forest.kerala.gov.in/en/peechi_reserve/ - Kerala State Biodiversity Board — Official biodiversity conservation programmes and documentation.
https://keralabiodiversity.org/
You may also like
-
Tiger Returns to Maharashtra’s Beed Forests After Nearly 100 Years, Highlights Importance of Wildlife Corridors
-
Himachal Pradesh Achieves Major Success in Rare Cheer Pheasant Conservation
-
Blackbucks to Return to Chhattisgarh’s Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary After Five Decades
-
Asiatic Lions Return to Barda Wildlife Sanctuary After 144 Years as Scientific Study Confirms Habitat’s Conservation Potential
-
India’s Ramsar Sites Reach 103 as Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel Receive International Recognition
