India records 709 animal discoveries in 2025, highest ever in a year

Kolkata: India recorded 709 new animal discoveries in 2025, the highest annual count so far, according to the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).

Of these, 483 species are new to science and 226 have been recorded in India for the first time. The total surpasses the previous record of 683 set in 2024.

With this, India’s documented faunal diversity now stands at 1,05,953 species and subspecies, about 5.3% of global animal diversity.

Notable finds include Myotis himalaicus, a Himalayan long-tailed bat from Uttarakhand; Lycodon irwini, a wolf snake from Great Nicobar Island; and two new fan-throated lizards from Arunachal Pradesh.

Kerala recorded the most discoveries, followed by West Bengal, Karnataka and Arunachal Pradesh.

ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee said the findings highlight India’s rich biodiversity and the need to strengthen research amid the global biodiversity crisis.

The Botanical Survey of India also reported 353 plant taxa, including 221 species new to science.