The first-ever herpetofaunal survey conducted in the Thiruvananthapuram wildlife division has recorded 67 amphibian and 80 reptile species, many of which have been classified as vulnerable, endangered and near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The recent survey covered all protected areas spread across 212 sq.km. including Neyyar and Peppara wildlife sanctuaries, and the Agasthyavanam Biological Park. The four-day exercise was jointly organised by the Forest department and the non-governmental organisation Aranyakam Nature Foundation.
Nearly 75 volunteers from research institutions including University of Calicut; Kerala Forest Research Institute; College of Forestry; St. Joseph’s College, Irinjalakuda; Farooq College, Kozhikode; and other NGOs including Travancore Natural History Society and Malabar Natural History Society participated in the society.
