After the success of the sky bridge for Grizzled Giant Squirrel, authorities are planning sky bridges for the Tufted Gray Langur (Semnopithecus priam) of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Like the squirrel, the langur also known as Madras Gray Langur is endemic to South India and Sri Lanka.
Unlike the Bonnet macaque, they are known for less interaction with human beings.
The sky bridge connecting the trees across the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway for the langur was after it was found a success for the squirrels in increased passage across the NH.
“Road kill was a major problem for wild animals especially during the summer season as they have to cross the NH for drinking water from the Pampa river,” said an official of the sanctuary.
Unlike the one for the Grizzled Giant Squirrel, these wooden bridges have more width, said the official adding that though it is mainly meant for the Tufted Gray Langur, the Hanuman monkeys and the Bonnet macaque can also use for their safe passage.
Five sky bridges will come up from Karimutty to the border of the sanctuary with Tamil Nadu. The Pampa is the perennial water source for the largest number of mammal and reptile populations in the sanctuary.
Most of the roadkills were reported during night-time and the Forest Department recently had erected road barriers with much opposition from the local people.
“Once the simians start moving on the sky bridge, the small species too will follow it,” he added.
The Giant Squirrel is not the only one using the sky bridges made a few years ago. All squirrel species pass through them, he said.
Though there are eight sub-species of Semnopithecus found in South Asia, four of the Semnopithecus priam species are in Chinnar sanctuary.
They are distinguished for their genetics and colourisation, especially of the limbs and tail carriages.
The species reported to have been found in the sanctuary are Priam, Clussumieri, Hypoleucos and Ajax.
