Mastodawn

Sunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus

Sunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus

Locations: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia (Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Bali), and Borneo

The Sunda flying lemur, also known as the Malayan flying lemur or Malayan #colugo, silently glides through the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, relying on ancient forests to survive. Despite their name, they are not true lemurs, nor do they fly—they are gliders, and among the most skilful in the world. This species is experiencing population declines in several parts of their range. They are threatened by #deforestation from #timber, #palmoil plantations, and #hunting by local communities. Forest loss, particularly in #Java, #Vietnam, and #Thailand, is fragmenting their populations and endangering their survival. Use your wallet as a weapon every time you shop and protect these sensitive creatures #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/NUukaAK4YSI

The elegant #Sunda flying #lemur AKA #Colugo can glide 100m through trees 🪽🕊️ in #Sumatra #Kalimantan and #Borneo. Totally reliant on trees, #palmoil is a major threat to them 😿 Fight back and🌴🩸🔥☠️🧐🚫 #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2026/02/08/sunda-flying-lemur-galeopterus-variegatus/

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Hauntingly beautiful gliding #mammal, the Malayan #Colugo/ Sunda Flying #Lemur uses a cape-like skin membrane to slide 100’s of metres through the #rainforests of SE #Asia. Fight for them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🙊🤮🚜🔥❌ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2026/02/08/sunda-flying-lemur-galeopterus-variegatus/

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Appearance & Behaviour

Sunda flying lemurs are hauntingly beautiful gliding mammals, with their large, forward-facing eyes adapted for night vision and a delicate, kite-shaped membrane of skin called a patagium stretching from their neck to their fingertips, tail, and toes. This structure allows them to glide over 100 metres through the forest canopy, losing as little as 10 metres in elevation. On the ground, they are nearly helpless, but in the trees, they move with astonishing agility. These quiet, nocturnal mammals spend their days curled up in tree hollows or nestled in the dense fronds of coconut trees, becoming active at dusk when they begin foraging.

Threats

Palm oil deforestation

The widespread clearing of tropical rainforest to establish palm oil plantations is one of the greatest threats to the Sunda flying lemur. These gliders rely heavily on continuous tree canopy for movement, foraging, and breeding. When forests are fragmented or entirely removed for palm oil, flying lemurs become stranded, exposed to predators, and unable to access food or shelter. This process has caused severe habitat degradation across Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo.

Human persecution and hunting

In Java and some other regions, Sunda flying lemurs are hunted by local communities, including the Baduy Tribe, who increase hunting activity every four years as part of cultural practices. Though the species yields little meat, they are still killed for consumption or perceived nuisance. Hunting disrupts already fragile populations, particularly in areas where habitat loss has already reduced numbers and isolated groups.

Logging and forest fragmentation for timber

Commercial and illegal logging contribute to the rapid degradation of forests across Southeast Asia. Even selective logging can cause fragmentation, which limits the flying lemur’s ability to glide and forces them to descend to the ground—where they are highly vulnerable to predators and human threats. Logging roads also increase human access to remote forests, further accelerating hunting and forest conversion.

Competition with invasive species

In degraded habitats and plantations, Sunda flying lemurs face increased competition for food and nesting sites from invasive and generalist species such as the Plantain Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus). These squirrels are more adaptable and can dominate food sources, leaving less for the more specialised colugo. Competition like this puts additional stress on the already fragile populations of flying lemurs, especially in fragmented or edge habitats.

Urban expansion and infrastructure development

Rapid urbanisation across Southeast Asia has resulted in the encroachment of cities and towns into previously forested areas. Roads, buildings, hydroelectric dams and agricultural expansion sever vital canopy corridors and isolate populations, making gliding impossible in many urban landscapes. As a result, Sunda flying lemurs are forced to navigate unsuitable environments, increasing their risk of vehicle collisions, electrocution from power lines, and conflict with humans.

Weak protections and lack of enforcement

Although the Sunda flying lemur is legally protected in several countries, enforcement is often weak or inconsistent. In areas like Sarawak and Java, data on current populations is outdated or incomplete, making it difficult to assess trends or plan effective conservation strategies. Without strong protections and ongoing monitoring, habitat loss and hunting will continue to drive the species toward future vulnerability or extinction.

Geographic Range

Sunda flying lemurs are found across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, southern Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Indonesia (Java, Bali, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Borneo). They are patchily distributed, with population declines noted in Java and possibly Sarawak. They occur in both primary and secondary forests, and are sometimes seen in plantations and gardens—but dense forest canopy is critical for their survival. Populations in disturbed habitats are less viable due to limited gliding space and reduced food availability.

Diet

The Sunda flying lemur feeds primarily on young leaves, buds, shoots, flowers, and fruits of a wide variety of forest trees. In Bako National Park, Sarawak, they have been observed feeding on over 12 tree species, with Buchanania arborescens making up over 50% of their diet. They also consume tree sap and have even been seen licking bark for water and minerals. Interestingly, they have been recorded feeding on ants (Paratrechina longicornis) in rare cases, highlighting their adaptability in changing environments.

Mating and Reproduction

After a gestation period of about 60 days, females give birth to a single young, which clings to the mother’s belly and is cradled within the folds of the patagium. The mother’s gliding membrane acts like a living pouch, offering warmth and protection as she climbs and glides through the treetops. Not much else is known about their mating systems or breeding intervals, but juveniles stay with their mothers until they are old enough to glide on their own.

FAQs

How many Sunda flying lemurs are left in the wild?

Exact population numbers are unknown, but the species is believed to be in slow decline. Localised extinctions are suspected in parts of Java and mainland Southeast Asia due to hunting and habitat fragmentation. While still widespread, their dependence on intact forests makes them vulnerable to ongoing deforestation (Boeadi & Steinmetz, 2008).

How long do Sunda flying lemurs live?

In the wild, their lifespan is estimated to be around 10–15 years, though this can vary depending on threats and environmental conditions. Data from wild populations are limited due to their elusive, nocturnal habits (Wikipedia, n.d.).

Why are they threatened by palm oil?

Palm oil plantations destroy the lowland tropical forests that flying lemurs depend on. Unlike other adaptable mammals, colugos require dense canopy cover for safe gliding, resting, and breeding. When forests are cleared, these gliders lose their ability to navigate safely, exposing them to predators and starvation. The conversion of rainforest into monoculture plantations has led to significant declines in habitat quality across their range (Lim et al., 2013; Nasir & Abdullah, 2009).

Do Sunda flying lemurs make good pets?

Absolutely not. Sunda flying lemurs are wild animals with specialised needs. They are not domesticated, and keeping them as pets leads to extreme stress, injury, or death. Capturing these animals for trade disrupts family groups and contributes to their extinction. If you care about flying lemurs, advocate against the exotic pet trade and never support it.

What conservation efforts are underway?

National laws protect the Sunda flying lemur in many range countries, and studies have been conducted in places like Bako National Park and Singapore. However, much stronger protection is needed, particularly in habitat protection and indigenous-led conservation. Conservationists recommend protecting forest patches, especially those with >95% canopy cover, to ensure their survival (Lim et al., 2013).

Take Action!

Protect the Sunda flying lemur by choosing only products that are 100% palm oil-free. Avoiding palm oil directly combats deforestation and preserves vital canopy corridors these animals depend on. Support indigenous-led agroecology and forest protection movements. Never support the exotic pet trade or keep wild animals in captivity. Every purchase you make has the power to either destroy or safeguard their rainforest homes. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Support Sunda Flying Lemurs by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Boeadi & Steinmetz, R. 2008. Galeopterus variegatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T41502A10479343. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T41502A10479343.en. Accessed on 06 April 2025.

Lim, N. T-L., Giam, X., Byrnes, G., & Clements, G. R. (2013). Occurrence of the Sunda colugo (Galeopterus variegatus) in the tropical forests of Singapore: A Bayesian approach. Mammalian Biology, 78(1), 63–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2012.06.008

Nasir, D., & Abdullah, M. T. (2009). Foraging ecology of the Sunda colugo (Galeopterus variegatus) in Bako National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. Malayan Nature Journal, 61(4), 285–294. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290610443_Foraging_ecology_of_the_sunda_colugo_galeopterus_variegatus_in_bako_national_park_sarawak_malaysia

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Sunda flying lemur. Retrieved April 6, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunda_flying_lemur

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Palm Oil Detectives Feb 4, 2021

Mentawi Flying Squirrel Iomys sipora

Mentawi Flying Squirrel Iomys sipora

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: Indonesia (Mentawai Islands: Sipura and North Pagai)

The #Mentawi Flying #Squirrel (Iomys sipora), endemic to the remote Mentawai Islands of Indonesia, is a rare and elusive species that glides effortlessly through the dense tropical canopy. Unlike their more widespread relatives, these unique flying squirrels are confined to just two islands, #Sipura and North Pagai, where they depend entirely on the survival of lowland primary forests. With velvety fur, large nocturnal eyes, and a patagium—an outstretched skin membrane allowing them to glide between trees—these squirrels are adapted to a life above the ground. However, relentless deforestation for palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture has devastated their habitat, putting them at serious risk of extinction. Despite repeated surveys, including a 1991 study by the National Museum of #Indonesia, sightings of Iomys sipora are alarmingly rare, raising fears that their population may be critically low—or even lost. With no conservation measures in place, urgent action is needed to prevent their disappearance. Boycott #deforestation-linked products and support indigenous-led conservation. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Gliding between trees in #Indonesia 🇮🇩with effortless grace, the Mentawi Flying #Squirrel 🦦is a sight to behold. They need #rainforest to survive. #PalmOil is a threat, make sure you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔💀🤮🧐🙊⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/mentawi-flying-squirrel-iomys-sipora/

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This squirrel is threatened by forest loss due to logging and agricultural conversion.

IUCN Red list

Appearance and Behaviour

The world’s gliding mammals are an extraordinary group of animals that have the ability to glide from tree to tree with seemingly effortless grace. There are more than 60 species of gliding mammals including the flying squirrels from Europe and North America, the scaly-tailed flying squirrels from central Africa and the gliding possums of Australia and New Guinea.

The Mentawi Flying Squirrel is a striking and little-documented species with dense, velvety fur ranging from reddish-brown to deep grey. Their large, round eyes are adapted for night vision, enabling them to forage under the cover of darkness. A defining feature of this species is its patagium— a thin membrane of skin stretching between its limbs—that allows them to glide through the air with remarkable agility. This natural adaptation enables them to travel between trees without descending to the forest floor, avoiding predators while seeking food. Despite their impressive gliding ability, their dependence on intact rainforest means they struggle to survive in fragmented landscapes, making habitat loss a critical threat.

Threats

The Mentawi Flying Squirrel lives in primary forests up to 500 m. Habitat loss on the two islands represents a major threat to this lowland species.

Palm Oil Deforestation and Habitat Destruction

The Mentawai Islands are experiencing rapid deforestation, with lowland primary forests being cleared for palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture. Iomys sipora relies entirely on undisturbed rainforest, and the loss of old-growth trees has significantly reduced available nesting sites and food sources. Once widespread, they are now found in just two fragmented locations, and their numbers are declining.

Illegal Wildlife Trade Extirpation

A 1991 survey failed to locate any individuals, raising concerns that populations may already be critically low or locally extinct. Habitat degradation and fragmentation mean that surviving populations are likely small and isolated, making recovery efforts increasingly difficult.

Agricultural Expansion and Infrastructure

Beyond palm oil, the Mentawai Islands face destruction from logging, rubber plantations, and road development, which further degrade the remaining habitat. Unlike more adaptable rodents, these flying squirrels cannot survive in secondary forests, making primary forest loss particularly devastating.

Climate Change and Extreme Weather Patterns

Climate change is altering rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures, which could further threaten this species’ delicate forest ecosystem. Rising temperatures may also affect fruiting seasons, reducing their food supply and further impacting their already struggling population.

Diet

Like other flying squirrels, Iomys sipora is primarily herbivorous, feeding on a mix of fruits, seeds, leaves, and flowers. Their diet plays a vital role in seed dispersal, helping regenerate their native rainforest. They rely on old-growth trees, which provide an abundance of food sources, but as these trees are felled, their dietary options become severely limited.

Reproduction and Mating

Due to the extreme rarity of Iomys sipora, very little is known about their reproductive habits. However, they are presumed to be solitary nesters, using tree hollows to raise their young. Like other flying squirrels, females likely give birth to one or two pups per litter, which remain dependent on their mothers until they develop the ability to glide and forage independently. The loss of old-growth trees also removes critical nesting sites, impacting their reproductive success and ability to recover from population losses.

Geographic Range

The Mentawi Flying Squirrel is restricted to two islands in Indonesia:

• Sipura Island

• North Pagai Island

Both islands are part of the Mentawai Archipelago, located off the coast of Sumatra. Their habitat is limited to lowland tropical primary forests below 500 metres above sea level, an ecosystem rapidly disappearing due to human activity.

FAQs

Why is the Mentawi Flying Squirrel endangered?

This species is classified as endangered due to its highly restricted range and ongoing deforestation. Logging, palm oil plantations, and habitat destruction have driven it to the brink, with no known conservation measures in place to protect its remaining populations.

Do Mentawi Flying Squirrels make good pets?

No. The illegal pet trade has devastating effects on wildlife, and keeping a Mentawi Flying Squirrel as a pet would contribute to their decline. These animals are highly specialised and cannot survive in captivity, often dying due to stress or inadequate care. Removing individuals from the wild further destabilises already fragile populations. If you care about their survival, support habitat protection and never purchase exotic pets.

How does palm oil impact the Mentawi Flying Squirrel?

Palm oil plantations are a primary driver of deforestation in Indonesia, replacing biodiverse rainforests with monoculture wastelands that provide no habitat for native species. These plantations have destroyed much of the Mentawai Islands’ primary forest, leaving little space for this already endangered species. Boycotting palm oil products is a direct way to protect their habitat.

How can we protect the Mentawi Flying Squirrel?

The most important conservation efforts include:

• Protecting remaining old-growth forests on the Mentawai Islands.

• Supporting indigenous-led conservation efforts, which are crucial for preserving biodiversity.

• Boycotting palm oil and timber products linked to deforestation.

• Encouraging reforestation projects in degraded areas to restore lost habitat.

Support the conservation of this species

Further Information

Gliding Mammals of the world

Lee, B. 2016. Iomys sipora (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T10846A115099877. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T10846A22249119.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.

Ruedas, L., Duckworth, J. W., Lee, B., & Tizard, R. J. (2008). Iomys sipora. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8317177/.

Wikipedia. (2024). Mentawi Flying Squirrel. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentawi_flying_squirrel.

Mentawi Flying Squirrel Iomys sipora

Caption: This beautiful painting is by My YM

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

✓ Subscribed

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

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Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

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#Agriculture #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #EndangeredSpecies #ForgottenAnimals #glidingMammal #Indonesia #Mammal #Mentawi #MentawiFlyingSquirrelIomysSipora #palmoil #rainforest #rodent #rodents #Sipura #SouthEastAsia #Squirrel #Sumatra

Palm Oil Detectives Feb 4, 2021

Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel Petinomys vordermanni

Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel Petinomys vordermanni

Red List Status: Vulnerable

Locations: Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia (Borneo, Belitung Island, Riau Islands), Myanmar (southern regions), Brunei

In #Borneo’s twilight, the Vordermann’s flying #squirrel emerges from her nest, resplendent with orange cheeks and black-ringed eyes. This small, #nocturnal #mammal is a master of the rainforest canopy. They use an ingenious membrane called a patagium to effortlessly glide between trees. A flying squirrel’s world is one of constant motion and quiet vigilance. Don’t let this world disappear! The forests that sustain them are vanishing at an alarming rate. Palm oil-driven deforestation, logging, and land conversion are tearing through their habitat, leaving only fragmented forest. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Vordermann’s Flying #Squirrels 🪽🦦🤎 are spectacular gliding #mammals of #Borneo who are #vulnerable due to #palmoil #deforestation in #Malaysia 🇲🇾 and #Indonesia 🇮🇩 Support them and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥☠️❌ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/vordermanns-flying-squirrel-petinomys-vordermanni/

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Appearance and Behaviour

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is one of the smallest flying squirrels, with a head and body length of 92–120 millimetres and a tail of equal length, weighing between 22 and 52 grams. Their fur is a striking mix of black with rusty tips, and their underparts are a soft, rusty white. Each eye is ringed with black, and their orange cheeks and tufts of whiskers beneath the ears give them a distinctive, expressive face. The squirrel’s patagium—a skin flap between the limbs is like an airborne sail. Meanwhile their flattened bushy tail is akin to an airborne rudder helping them with precise movements through the air.

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is strictly nocturnal and arboreal, spending their days hidden in tree holes and emerging at night to forage and glide. They are agile climbers, using their sharp claws and keen senses to navigate the dense canopy. Their glides are silent and graceful, covering distances of several metres between trees. The squirrel’s world is one of constant movement and quiet communication, with little known about their social structure or vocalisations. Their nests are typically found 0.3 to 6 metres above the ground, often in partially cut primary forest, secondary forest, or forest bordering swamps.

Threats

This squirrel is threatened by forest loss due to logging and agricultural conversion.

IUCN Red list

Palm oil and other industrial agriculture

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is classified as Vulnerable on the Red List, with habitat loss the primary threat to their survival. Across Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra, forests are being cleared for palm oil plantations and agricultural expansion. These industrial-scale operations strip away the dense, multi-layered vegetation that the squirrel depends on for food and shelter. The once-continuous canopy is reduced to isolated patches, forcing squirrels into ever-smaller territories and increasing competition for resources.

Roads, infrastructure and timber logging

Logging operations further fragment the remaining forest habitat of Vordermann’s flying squirrel. Roads and clearings cut through the forest, severing the connections that squirrels rely on for movement and foraging. Fragmentation isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing vulnerability to disease and environmental change. In many areas, only small, isolated groups of squirrels remain, cut off from neighbouring populations by expanses of cleared land.

Hunting and illegal pet trade

While hunting and the illegal pet trade are not explicitly cited as major threats for Vordermann’s flying squirrel in current literature, the broader context of wildlife exploitation in Southeast Asia raises concerns. Any increase in human activity and access to remote forests could put additional pressure on this already vulnerable species.

Climate change and pollution

Climate change adds further pressure, altering rainfall patterns and the availability of food. The squirrel’s world is becoming hotter, drier, and less predictable, with the forests they depend on shrinking year by year. Extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, can destroy habitat and isolate populations even further. Pollution from mining and agriculture can poison rivers and soil, further degrading the squirrel’s environment.

Diet

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant materials, including fruits, seeds, leaves, and bark, as well as insects and other small invertebrates. Their foraging is a quiet, nocturnal activity, carried out in the safety of the canopy. The rhythm of their feeding is woven into the life of the forest, as they play a vital role in seed dispersal and the regeneration of their ecosystem. The availability of food is closely tied to the health of the forest, and the loss of habitat threatens their ability to find enough to eat.

Reproduction and Mating

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is monogamous, with each female mating with a single male. Breeding occurs seasonally, typically in the spring months of February and March, and can extend into April. Females give birth to one to three young per litter, usually in tree holes. The gestation period and time to weaning are not well documented, but in similar species, mothers provide food and milk for several weeks until the young are able to forage on their own. Cooperative breeding may occur, with other group members assisting in the care of the young, but the exact social structure of Vordermann’s flying squirrel remains poorly understood.

Geographic Range

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is found in the lowland rainforests of southern Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and the Indonesian islands of Belitung and Riau. Their habitat includes primary and secondary forests, orchards, rubber plantations, and forests bordering swamps. The squirrel’s historical range has contracted due to deforestation and human encroachment, and they are now restricted to the few remaining patches of suitable habitat. The sounds of Vordermann’s flying squirrel—rustling leaves and silent glides—are now heard in fewer and fewer places.

FAQs

How many Vordermann’s flying squirrels are left?

There are no precise population estimates for Vordermann’s flying squirrel, but their numbers are believed to be declining due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the Red List, with a suspected population decline of more than 30% over three generations. The squirrel’s survival is threatened by the continued destruction of their forest home.

What are the characteristics of Vordermann’s flying squirrel?

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is one of the smallest flying squirrels, with a head and body length of 92–120 millimetres and a weight of 22–52 grams. They have striking black fur with rusty tips, a white underside, and distinctive orange cheeks with black rings around their eyes. Their flattened, bushy tail and patagium allow them to glide silently through the forest canopy. Vordermann’s flying squirrel is strictly nocturnal and arboreal, spending their days in tree holes and emerging at night to forage.

Where does the Vordermann’s flying squirrel live?

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is found in the lowland rainforests of southern Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and the Indonesian islands of Belitung and Riau. They inhabit primary and secondary forests, orchards, rubber plantations, and forests bordering swamps. Their historical range has contracted due to deforestation and human encroachment, and they are now restricted to the few remaining patches of suitable habitat.

What are the threats to the survival of the Vordermann’s flying squirrel?

The main threats to the survival of Vordermann’s flying squirrel are habitat loss and fragmentation caused by palm oil-driven deforestation, logging, and agricultural expansion. The forests of Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra are being cleared at an alarming rate, leaving only isolated patches where the squirrel can survive. Fragmentation isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing vulnerability to disease and environmental change. Climate change and pollution add further pressure, altering the availability of food and shelter.

Do Vordermann’s flying squirrels make a good pets?

Vordermann’s flying squirrels most definitely do not make good pets. Captivity causes extreme stress, loneliness, and early death for these highly specialised forest animals. The illegal pet trade rips families apart and fuels extinction, as animals are stolen from their natural habitat and forced into unnatural, impoverished conditions. Protecting Vordermann’s flying squirrel means rejecting the illegal pet trade and supporting their right to live wild and free in their forest home.

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology. Reject products linked to deforestation, mining, and the illegal wildlife trade. Adopt a #vegan lifestyle and #BoycottMeat to protect wild and farmed animals alike. Every choice matters—stand with Vordermann’s flying squirrel and defend the forests of Southeast Asia.

Support the conservation of this species

Further Information

Clayton, E. 2016. Petinomys vordermanni (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T16740A115139026. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T16740A22241246.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.

Gliding Mammals of the world

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Vordermann’s flying squirrel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vordermann%27s_flying_squirrel

Wilson, D. E., Lacher, T. E., & Mittermeier, R. A. (2016). Sciuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I. Lynx Edicions. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6840226

Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel Petinomys vordermanni

Caption: This beautiful painting is by My YM

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