Nagpur: Wildlife enthusiasts in Nagpur witnessed a remarkable event as an albino Five-Striped Palm Squirrel (Funambulus pennantii) was observed in Seminary Hills. Dr Leena Ramakrishnan documented this exceptional sighting through photographs, recording a unique specimen displaying the genetic condition of albinism.
Kundan Hate, a well-known wildlife expert said, "The condition presents itself through the complete or partial absence of pigmentation, resulting in the animal's pure white appearance and distinctive red eyes. This variation from the standard grey-brown colouration with stripes significantly impacts the creature's ability to remain concealed from predators in its natural environment."
The Five-Striped Palm Squirrel, also known as the Northern Palm Squirrel, is a common rodent in India, found across northern states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and even the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Previous sightings of albino or leucistic (a related condition with partial pigment loss but normal eye colour) Five-Striped Palm Squirrels have been recorded in Satara (Maharashtra), and other regions like Telangana and Vadodara in Gujarat.