Dijo Thomas Declares a New Species in Neelagiri Kaduva Family named Neelagiri Cheruvan!







Neelagiri Cheruvan is the second Species to be discovered in Neelagiri Kaduva Family
Neelagiri Cheruvan is much smaller than Neelagiri Kaduva, which is as Big as Tiger.
Neelagiri Cheruvan has a face similar to that of Neelagiri Kaduva or a Dog.
Neelagiri Cheruvan is only little more Bigger than a Dog.
Neelagiri Cheruvan’s main prey is Dog.
Where?: Wayanad, Ootty, Munnar, Bangalore.
I have come across evidences of Neelagiri Cheruvan in Kodaikanal. There a lot of dogs are being hunted, which the wildlife people thought to be the act of Leopards. But my investigation revealed that it is Neelagiri Cheruvan. [But I am yet to see any eyewitness of Neelagiri Cheruvan in Kodaikanal.

Color: Reddish brown. Pepper Grey etc. It therefore, according to some, look like “Black & White”.
But some could be pale yellow or brown also.
Date of First hearing : 2015
Discovery & Confirmation date : 2017
Discovery in Ooty: 2018
Colloquial Names:
Wayanad: Patti Puli [Dog Leopard]
Ootty: Naai Siruthai [Dog Leopard]
Munnar: Pohayan
Bangalore : Madka [for both Neelagiri Kaduva & Neelagiri Cheruvan ] – Seer naai
The largest population of Neelagiri Cheruvan occurs in Ooty & Nilgiris , which I estimate to be about 10 – 15. Here Neelagiri Kaduva does not exist.
Only in Wayanad & Bangalore does both Neelagiri Kaduva & Neelagiri Cheruvan exists in a single locality.

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