India has just hit a new milestone in wildlife science — 2024 saw the highest number of new animal species ever discovered in a single year, with 683 species and subspecies recorded by scientists. Let’s take a wild journey through this record-breaking year!

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Leading this discovery wave is Kerala, which topped the chart with 101 newly recorded species. Among them, 80 were entirely new to science, and 21 were documented in India for the first time.

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This incredible achievement is the result of the dedicated efforts of scientists at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Their fieldwork, taxonomic expertise, and growing use of molecular tools are helping India uncover its hidden natural treasures like never before.

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The discoveries were published in ZSI’s flagship report, Animal Discoveries: New Species and New Records 2024, prepared under the leadership of Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, the first woman to head the 110-year-old ZSI. It was officially launched in Kolkata.

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Among the newly discovered species is a snake found in Himachal Pradesh, named Anguiculus dicaprioi in honour of actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio. The scientists chose this name to recognise his efforts in raising global awareness on climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

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Out of the 683 species recorded in 2024, 459 were new to science, while 224 had never been documented in India before. This is a major leap from the already impressive 662 discoveries in 2022 and 641 in 2023.

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Southern India continued to lead in terms of biodiversity discoveries. After Kerala, Karnataka recorded 82, followed by Arunachal Pradesh with 72, Tamil Nadu with 63, and West Bengal with 56. In contrast, Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Telangana recorded the fewest.

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Thanks to a mix of advanced molecular tools, field expeditions, and deep taxonomic research, scientists are now better equipped to identify species that were once overlooked. DNA barcoding and high-tech microscopes are making it possible to spot differences invisible to the naked eye.

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The 2025 Animal Taxonomy Summit emphasised the need to focus more on the Eastern Himalayas and India’s marine ecosystems. Scientists called for targeted conservation strategies, especially for endemic species that may be at risk from climate change and habitat destruction.

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The report urged the government to design roads and infrastructure that minimise wildlife casualties, including underpasses, overpasses, tunnels, and even canopy bridges to keep forest creatures connected and safe in their natural habitats.

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Since its founding in 1916, ZSI has documented an astounding 1,05,244 species and subspecies. But what’s truly exciting is that recent years have seen an explosion in discoveries, proving that India’s natural world is still full of surprises.

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From the depths of the oceans to the forests of the Himalayas, India’s biodiversity continues to amaze the world. With each new species discovered, we’re reminded how much there is left to explore — and how important it is to protect every inch of it for future generations.

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