> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.upscprep.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Previse 2025: Species - URL: https://www.upscprep.com/upsc-previse-2024-species-in-news-current-affairs/ - Published: 2024-04-12T11:36:42.000Z - Updated: 2025-05-01T06:11:12.000Z - Description: Which butterflies, frogs, apes, deer, birds, fishes and flying squirrels are in the news? - Author: UPSCprep.com - Tags: UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs, Previse 2025, #show-toc Biodiversity conservation is a critical aspect of UPSC's Environment and Ecology syllabus. With the 2025 prelims approaching, staying updated on recent developments concerning threatened species and conservation efforts becomes crucial. This article explores a few key species that have been in the news lately and understanding their significance can give you an edge in your UPSC preparation. ### **Neptis Philyra** ![Neptis Philyra | Butterfly species discovered in India in Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/NwBsHlLJ9mfTmcfcoaX1brqEuS4pmBM-HO3rJvd1VBR3VgabiGe_e6mh3CcGg3cu8a40zuLI3uM8IiN0WJAqH897RbSdMCn3o5IwYoWQlOsYE-yx0Yq5CjNd-uGxSEjfF0rWkx3h8r9RNfxCw-ltd-k) ![Neptis Philyra | Butterfly species discovered in India in Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/04/image-19.png) ![Neptis Philyra | Butterfly species discovered in India in Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | UPSC](https://i.filecdn.in/755esias/image-20240411093408-7-1712808252581.png) ****Neptis Philyra** | Butterfly species discovered in India in Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary **WHY IMPORTANT?** This butterfly species was recently discovered for the first time in India in **Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary**. - Also known as long-streak sailor, this butterfly species is found across various regions of east Asia. - The markings include a “**hockey stick**” pattern on the forewing. - Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is located near the Apatani cultural landscape in the **Lower Subansiri District** of **Arunachal Pradesh**. - The landscape includes **subtropical** **and alpine flora** like silver fir trees, orchids, bamboo, and rhododendron. - **Fauna** includes clouded leopard, Himalayan squirrel and Himalayan Black Bear. --- ### **Nilgiri Tahr** ![Nilgiri Tahr | Eravikulam National Park | Species in News | UPSC](https://spicetreemunnar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Nilgiri-tahr-2.jpg) ![Nilgiri Tahr | Eravikulam National Park | Species in News | UPSC](https://th-i.thgim.com/public/news/national/kerala/article18725328.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/06ki%20eravikulam) ****Nilgiri Tahr** | Eravikulam National Park **WHY IMPORTANT?** **Project Nilgiri Tahr** waslaunched by the Tamil Nadu government. - It is **endemic** to the Nilgiri Hills and Southern Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. - Its habitat is in the open **montane grasslands** and **montane rain forests** of the South Western Ghats. - Nilgiri Tahr is the state animal of **Tamil Nadu**. - **Eravikulam National Park** has the largest population of Tahr. --- ### **Hangul (Kashmir Stag)** ![Hangul (Kashmir Stag) | Dachigam National Park | Species in News | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/8SgThwXIHJMp8I5RQ8pv7a93t0_ACIT5QzQ9oKlIpJWKemTZ1u4xqY0Fr-2OQTpqj7wDm-BF7mC_5Xg8vE3RxtHpopnvPENIuAEKZnhP0pgy8IAeCGrm_KQpbzDe_vsVCgqgQedzL3TGAFemyysmme8) ![Hangul (Kashmir Stag) | Dachigam National Park | Species in News | UPSC](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKKvo8EWgAAi_Ae?format=jpg&name=large) ![Hangul (Kashmir Stag) | Dachigam National Park | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/04/image-20-1.png) ****Hangul** (Kashmir Stag) | Dachigam National Park **WHY IMPORTANT?** In India, it is found only in **Dachigam National Park**. - Its population has gradually increased as per the recent census. - A small population of Hangul was also seen in Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary in South Kashmir. - It is **Critically Endangered** as per **IUCN** status. - It is the only Asiatic survivor or sub-species of the European red deer. --- ### **Hoolock Gibbon** ![Hoolock Gibbon | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/9BWOTFxjO9kMjPdjcVOf6dl2AON14JZyR619xvz4LyN0ammtibDA2ur5hbB2clUPXUcd2Qj6LE3Uo3AR-QL5_Z5io3BrfTLeqaLbA2wD3qk5q8M9PBP0TqYeGCBifudOQ0LbgQaJTdFZYJOu-BggyBk) ![Hoolock Gibbon | UPSC](https://res.cloudinary.com/roundglass/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/f_auto/c_limit,w_auto:breakpoints_200_2560_100_5:1265/v1565247556/roundglass/sustain/Western-Hoolock-Gibbon-_zbceji.jpg) ![Hoolock Gibbon | UPSC](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Range_of_the_4_gibbon_genera.jpg/400px-Range_of_the_4_gibbon_genera.jpg) ****Hoolock Gibbon** **WHY IMPORTANT?** It is India's only **ape**. - In its inaugural meeting in Haikou (China), the **Global Gibbon Network** highlighted the critical situation faced by these primates. - They are the smallest and fastest of all apes, with high intelligence and distinct personalities. - Two hoolock gibbon species found in India's northeastern region include the **eastern hoolock gibbon** and the **western hoolock gibbon**. - However, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology debunked this distinction, revealing that there is actually only one species of gibbon in India. - The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is their habitat, and it is located in the Jorhat district. --- **We can't clear UPSC for you.** But with our ***personalised mentor support***, you'll be ready to do it yourself. [Join Now](https://courses.upscprep.com/products?ref=upscprep.com) --- ### **Mithun** ![Mithun | Food Animal | Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland](https://d3i71xaburhd42.cloudfront.net/5e79e13e39ee5c91724edecc23b2359f91960d3a/3-Figure1-1.png) ![Northeast's mithun gets 'food animal' tag and its meat a leg-up | India News - The Indian Express](https://images.indianexpress.com/2023/09/MITHUN-GRAPHIC.jpg?resize=280,600) ![Mithun | Food Animal | Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland](https://d3i71xaburhd42.cloudfront.net/5e79e13e39ee5c91724edecc23b2359f91960d3a/2-Table1-1.png) ****Mithun** | Food Animal | Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland **WHY IMPORTANT?** Mithun was recognised by the FSSAI as a **food animal**. - Mithun has cultural significance in the northeastern states and is considered the state animal of **Arunachal Pradesh** and **Nagaland**. - It is also referred to as the "**Cattle of the Hills**". - Recognition of Mithun as a 'food animal' will benefit farmers and tribal communities economically. - Mithun is a **Schedule I** animal under the **Wildlife (Protection) Act of India**, which gives it legal protection. --- ### **Western Tragopan** ![Western Tragopan ](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/zowQ0Fio3t-ujhNLo_uurglFfeJnYTza-zHYmIOIZaKfF0-31Zvd44toBhQdRghBPjxdBQbKF8olGiB1RPGG5hs-hp7dVd8CvexG_5UxBmfEG1HFtGO1kO0xRsyYCwlQyEthyeT8hIGB3OlWxHo4q20) ![Western Tragopan | Great Himalayan National Park | UPSC](https://samsshopping.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Blk-4-640-Western-Tragopan.jpg) ![Western Tragopan | Great Himalayan National Park | UPSC | MAP](https://fl-i.thgim.com/public/environment/wild-life/14k2qt/article33511442.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/FL29-himachal-pradeshcol) ****Western Tragopan** | Great Himalayan National Park **WHY IMPORTANT?** **Western Tragopan** is a bird seen in **Himachal Pradesh** which has witnessed an increase in population. - It is being conserved at the Himachal Pradesh’s Sarahan pheasantry, the conservation breeding center. - The bird is locally known as ‘jujurana’ or ‘king of birds’ due to its beautiful plumage and large size. - It is endemic to the northwest Himalaya and the largest population is seen in the upper part of **Great Himalayan National Park**. - It is categorized as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN's red list of threatened species. --- ### **Mangrove Pitta Birds** ![Mangrove Pitta Birds | Odisha’s Bhitarkanika and West Bengal’s Sundarbans | UPSC](https://cdn.download.ams.birds.cornell.edu/api/v1/asset/186467971/1800) ![Mangrove Pitta Birds | Odisha’s Bhitarkanika and West Bengal’s Sundarbans | UPSC](https://res.cloudinary.com/roundglass/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/f_auto/c_limit,w_auto:breakpoints_200_2560_100_5:1265/v1680071192/rg/collective/media/mangrove-pitta-1680071191285.jpg) ![Mangrove Pitta Birds | Odisha’s Bhitarkanika and West Bengal’s Sundarbans | UPSC](https://stateofindiasbirds.in/wp-content/uploads/maps/Mangrove-Pitta_in_map_2023.jpg) ****Mangrove Pitta** | Bhitarkanika and Sundarbans **WHY IMPORTANT?** Mangrove Pitta Birds in Odisha had their **first census**. - Their conservation status is nearly threatened and are found in Odisha’s **Bhitarkanika** and West Bengal’s **Sundarbans**. - Their **habitat** includes mangrove forests, wetlands, rivers, coastal marshlands, streams, creeks and estuaries. - Being a **bio-indicator** of the health of mangrove forests, they are crucial to maintaining the ecological balance of coastal areas. - They are non-migratory resident birds. --- ### **Ghol Fish** **WHY IMPORTANT?** Gujarat declared **Ghol fish** as the state fish at the **Global Fisheries Conference India 2023**. - The Ghol fish is also known as ‘black-spotted croaker’ and ‘Sea Gold’. - It is primarily found in the **Indo-Pacific region**. - The dried air bladder of this fish is the costliest part, and it can fetch as high as Rs 25,000 a kilogram. - Its IUCN status is **Near Threatened**. ![Ghol Fish | State fish in Gujarat | Indo-Pacific region | UPSC](https://i0.wp.com/bombayfreshfish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Ghol-main.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1) ![Ghol | State fish in Gujarat | Indo-Pacific region | UPSC](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/imgsize-23456,msid-105405979,width-600,resizemode-4/105405979.jpg) ![Ghol | State fish in Gujarat | Indo-Pacific region | UPSC | Mumbai fisherman became a crorepati |](https://static.toiimg.com/photo/msid-85863236/85863236.jpg?pl=85863236) ****Ghol Fish** | Indo-Pacific region --- ### **Namdapha Flying Squirrel** ![Namdapha Flying Squirrel | Namdapha National Park | UPSC](https://www.crittercontroltriangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/southern-flying-squirrel-raleigh-nc-remove.jpg) ![Namdapha Flying Squirrel | Namdapha National Park | UPSC](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4AgqiGX4AAeDla.jpg) ![The Animals](https://endangeredanimals112.weebly.com/uploads/4/4/3/3/44334467/8199937_orig.jpeg) ****Namdapha Flying Squirrel** | Namdapha National Park **WHY IMPORTANT?** A Namdapha flying squirrel was **seen recently** in Arunachal Pradesh **after being missing for 42 years**. - It is **Critically Endangered** in the IUCN list and is under **Schedule II** of the Wildlife Protection Act. - Found in the **Namdapha National Park**, **Arunachal Pradesh**, it was listed in the “Search for Lost Species” initiative. - Their habitat includes tall Mesua ferrea jungles on hill slopes in the catchment area of the **Dihing River**. - They are incapable of flight like birds, and instead, they glide between trees. --- ### **Dancing Frogs** ![ Kottigehar Dancing Frog | Western Ghats | UPSC](https://res.cloudinary.com/roundglass/image/upload/w_1104,h_736,c_fill/q_auto:best,f_auto/v1597311195/roundglass/sustain/agumbe-kottigehar-dancing-frog-shreeram-MV_bmbkyz.jpg) ![ Kottigehar Dancing Frog | Western Ghats | UPSC](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/FySBpe73UsVW8-70KDNADqVFl2s6BVi1Om0_3OsMrwbBCrLBmPn2-lkgQcvpaUjLqsqKHGo2VusZyGBuyAG3i1IFL3TkzJVBVnLrbTxglLyF_W_JONC1w63hTqZ0STTGybATFjrfkmZ6gs2yc89eDtA) ![ Kottigehar Dancing Frog | Western Ghats | UPSC](https://amphibiaweb.org/lists/faminfo/richness/family_Micrixalidae.jpg) ****Kottigehar Dancing Frog** | Western Ghats **WHY IMPORTANT?** Dancing frogs of the **Western Ghats** are considered one of the most threatened amphibians. - The scientific name of the Kottigehar Dancing Frog is Micrixalus kottigeharensis. - For mate calling, males stretch up their hind legs and wave their **webbed toes** in a rapid motion akin to a dance hence the name - This process is called “**foot flagging**”. - This species is threatened by variations in temperature and humidity, extreme weather events and invasive species like the mosquito fish. --- ### **Sangai Deer** ![Manipur's dancing deer | Keibul Lamjao National Park | UPSC](https://www.loktaklake.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sangai-Deer03-1-e1654284010238.jpg) ![Manipur's dancing deer | Keibul Lamjao National Park | UPSC](https://www.insightsonindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Sangai.png) ![Manipur's dancing deer | Keibul Lamjao National Park | UPSC](https://imgs.mongabay.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2018/09/20210453/1KLNPMap.png) ****Manipur's dancing deer** | Keibul Lamjao National Park **WHY IMPORTANT?** Loktak Lake’s hydroelectric plant in Manipur may affect it. - Sangai deer is a subspecies of Eld's deer endemic to Manipur. - It is found only in **Keibul Lamjao National Park**, which has masses of **phumdi** using which Sangai crosses the river. - While maintaining balance on phumdis, the movements created give it the name of ‘**dancing deer**’. - The forward protruding beam seems to come out from the eyebrow which gives it the name **brow-antlered deer**. ## Sign up for UPSCprep.com Simplify your UPSC journey Subscribe Email sent! 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