Newsletter of the Chiroptera Conservation and Information Network of South Asia CCINSA and the IUCN SSC Chiroptera Specialist Group of South Asia Volume 9 Number 1 Jan -July 2008
Contents New Members since last issue
Of great interest ... P. 2 Adhikari, Hari, Student Mathur, Virendra First record of Blyths Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus Lepidus Institute of Forestry, Research Scholar Pokhara, Nepal Babasaheb Bhaimrao (Blyth, 1844) from Western Gujarat, India, [email protected] Ambedkar University K. R. Senacha, Pp. 3-4 Lucknow 226 025 UP Checklist of Bats of India (revised and updated as on Archana, B., Student [email protected] June 2008), P. O. Nameer, Pp. 5-8 SBM Colony Bangalore 560 050 Muthuandavan About frugivorous bats of Northern Western Ghats, Korad Karnataka Latchoumanan V. S and M. C. Gaikwad., Pp. 9-10 [email protected] Researcher - WL [email protected] Gujarat Inst. of Desert Project PteroCount Progress (www.pteroCount.org), Ecology, Bhuj 370 001 Sanjay Molur, P. 10 Aziz, Mohammad Abdul Gujarat Assistant Professor [email protected] A survey on the roosting sites of Indian Flying Fox Department of Zoology, Pteropus giganteus Brünnich, 1782. in and around Jahangirnagar University Paul, Rajender Coimbatore and Palakkad districts, India. Joseph Reginald Dhaka 1342 Bangladesh Veterinary Micorbiologist L., P. Mohan Prasath, C. Mahendran, Aravind Venkatesan, [email protected] Veterinary Polyclinic K. Prabhu, B. Ravichandran and Sanjay Molur, Pp. 11-12 Kullu Dist. 175 126 HP Baruah, Chittaranjan [email protected] Giant Indian Fruit Bat Pteropus giganteus Brunnich roost Research Scholar in Karnataka, South India: A case for preservation as a Department of Zoology Paul, Sanjeev Kumari heritage site. A.K. Chakravarthy, H.M. Yeshwanth, L. Gauhati University Vety. Medicine Specialist Vijaya Kumar and N.R. Prasanna Kumar, Pp. 13-15 Guwahati 781 014 Assam Veterinary Polyclinic [email protected] Kullu Dist. 175 126 HP Status of roosts of Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus [email protected] [email protected] Brunnich) in Karnataka, South India, A.K.Chakravarthy and H.M.Yeshwanth, Pp. 16-18 David Patrick Perumalsamy, Kaliraj Wildlife Res Research Scholar Bat colony in and around the Kodinar Taluka of Junagadh Bombay Nat. History Madurai Kamaraj University district, Gujarat State, L. Muthu Andavan, S.F. Wesley Society Madurai 625 021 Tamil Nadu Sunderraj and Justus Joshua, P. 18 Mumbai 400 023, MAH [email protected] [email protected] Status and distribution of Indian Flying Fox in Kathmandu Panneerselvam, Vimal [email protected] Valley, Nepal, Pushpa R. Acharya, Pp. 19-20 Junior Research Fellow Forest Protection Division, Irulan, Ammavasi Chiroptera, Chiuri and Chepang, Pushpa R. Acharya, P. 20 IFGTB Research Scholar Coimbatore 641 002 TN One day training programme on bat, organized at Bat Babasaheb Bhimrao [email protected], Ambedkar Central University Cave, Pokhara, Nepal, Hari Adhikari and Mohan K.C, Pp. [email protected] 21-22 Lucknow 226 025 UP [email protected] Ramanujam, Karthikeyan Reporting Pteropus colonies and bat roosts from Research Scholar Eastern Nepal, Sanjan Bdr. Thapa, Pp. 22-23 Karki, Laxmi Student Narayanapuram From Radio Annapurna to Nepal, Hari Adhikari, P. 23 Institute of Forestry, Madurai 625 014 TN Pokhara, Nepal [email protected] 2007 Bat activities Review, P. 24 [email protected] [email protected]
Selected bat education programmes for animal welfare Louis, Joseph Reginald Sahoo, Santosh Kumar fortnight and World Environment Day 2008, Pp. 25-26 Research Scholar Chairman, Conservation Salim Ali Centre for Himalayas (NGO) Bat educational material developed recently by ZOO, Pp. Ornithology and Nat. History Chandigarh 160 036 Punjab 27-30 Anaikatty, CBE 641 108 TN [email protected], [email protected] South Asian Bat Photo Project - Progress Report and [email protected] further requests, P. 31
BAT NET - CCINSA Newsletter Volume 9, Number 1, Jan-July 2008 One day training programme on bats, organized at Bat Cave, Pokhara, Nepal Hari Adhikari* and Mohan K.C
NOTE: Please refer the web version for the excellent different areas of cave were collected and later colour photos provided with this report. SRW, Ed. released. Population status and number of bats were observed by taking the average population per Introduction square meter at different place in the cave and Pokhara valley is located in Kaski district of western finding the total area covered by bats in the ceiling of region of Nepal. The precise geographical location of cave and multiplying by average. A total of 1,500 the valley is between 28024´ to 2804´ N and 83099´ bats were found on an average. to 84065´E. The average height of the Pokhara valley 4) To examine the threats local peoples as a key above the sea level ranges from 730m to 1030m. The informants interview were done. Local leaders from main precipitation here occurs in the form of rainfall. different field were invited and discussion was The climate is sub-tropical but due to the elevation, conducted among them. Direct field visit was also the temperatures are moderate: the summer done during research study. temperatures average between 25-350C, in winter around 5-150C. Bat cave is famous for its picturesque Outcomes appearance of bats on the cave. Bat cave is situated 1) Participant got information on bat related in the northern part of Pokhara valley in Batulechaur. equipment required for bat capturing and It is famous tourist site of Pokhara valley for seeing identification. Participants were capable of capturing bats and enjoying adventure of cave walk. One day bats for the study. field training was organized in Bat Cave among Bat 2) To make them aware about methods of bats Friends general members, bat cave guide and few handling the knowledge were shared freely to the interested tourist. The participant were trained by Mr. participants. They were also trained how to take the Hari Adhikari, (Coordinator, Bat Friends), Mr. Mohan measurement of bats different body parts. K.C, and Mr. Niroj Man Shrestha. Participants gave response of getting confident on handling bats. Objectives 3) On the basis of measurement taken, two species 1) To demonstrate materials used in bat capture, of bats were listed, Rhinolophus armiger and technique for bat identification, measurement to be Rhinolophus pussilus, These data were matched in taken of different body parts, methodology for bat reference with Bats of Indian Sub-continent and capture. M.Sc., thesis of Acharya. 2) To make participant aware about bats handling. 4) During discussion with key informants and direct 3) To identify bat species and population status of field visit, problem like high tourist pressure in the bats in Bat cave. cave, roosts disturbance, throwing litters, throwing 4) To examine existing threats in the bat cave. stones on bats, making loud noise, and pointing direct focus light on bats etc. were observed. These threats Methodology are the main cause of declining bats in that cave. Two 1) Selected group members, care taker of bat cave dead bats were found during cave visit and on and bat cave guide were equipped with information observation the wings had holes on it. It seemed some about materials used in bat capturing and illegal activities of tourist hampering bats and their identification like mist net, butterfly nets, spring population. Later these dead bats were handover to balance, vernier caliper, hand gloves, bat keeping Institute of Forestry, Department of Park Recreation bag, reference book Bats of the Indian sub- and Wildlife management for specimens collection of continent etc., bats for campus zoology lab. Both dead bats were of 2) Measurements of body parts are essential for bat Rhinolophus armiger. identification. So the participants were trained about the way to handle them, take measurement, and Recommendation release safely. Participants were very enthusiastic to There is need of preparing and installing information know more about measurements, so each of the and notice board for tourist to provide them full participants were trained to safely handle bats during information regarding behaviour of bats, their status, measurements. species found in cave, and some request for not to 3) To identify bat species found in Bat Cave, disturb them in their roost, publication and captured bats were taken for study. All participants distribution of brochure and information prior to their were very keen interest on identifying bats. Body parts of bats like wing length, forearm, head and body length, tail, ear, hind foot, tibia, etc. were *Secretary, Wetland Friends of Nepal (WFN), measured. And reference book Bats of Indian Coordinator, Bat Friends, Institute of Forestry, Nepal. Subcontinent published by Bates and Harrison was Email: [email protected], taken for comparing the measurements and bat www.wetlandfriends.org, http://batfriends.tripod.com identification. Ten samples of bats representing 21 BAT NET - CCINSA Newsletter Volume 9, Number 1, Jan-July 2008 One day training programme on bats, organized at Bat Cave, Pokhara, Nepal web supplement
Bat Friends Coordinator showing bat to participant Students busy intaking data on bat measurements
Bats in Bat Cave6 Students observing dead bats outside the Bat Cave
Students observing the ceiling of cave Student taking measurement with Spring balance
BAT NET - CCINSA Newsletter Volume 9, Number 1, Jan-July 2008 entry in to the cave so that they could understand Acknowledgments the value of bats and keep their roost sound and We would like to acknowledge respected resource healthy. Broad awareness campaign needs to be persons and organizers of the recent CCINSA/ conducted for the conservation of bats and to create RILSCINSA training program in bat and rodent field interest in bats observation, its roosting site techniques for giving valuable pointers for studying preservation, and to remove myth that exist in their bats and providing materials. Thanks to Mr Subash mind about bats. Adhikari, cave caretaker for assisting us in the program and other bat guide of the cave to assist us Conclusion on handling bats. We also thank Mr. Niroj Shrestha Each of the participants got an opportunity to handle for organizing the program. bats and take measurements and the ways to match the measurement with the Book Bats of the Indian Reference Sub-continent. During the program different Acharya, P.R. (2006). Distribution of Roosting and materials information prepared by Bat Friends were Survival Threats of Bat in Pokhara Valley with Reference to distributed to the tourist and they were happy to see Species and Population Survey at Chamere Gupha, the bats in the cave in huge numbers and get more Submitted to Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur Nepal. information regarding bats.
Reporting Pteropus colonies and Bat roosts from Eastern Nepal Sanjan Bdr. Thapa*
NOTE: Please consult the web version of Bat Net to see (Bombax ceiba), on the dam of Koshi River was the photographs accompanying and illustrating this observed. The colony is just near Binda Sardars article. S.Walker, Editor, Bat Net house. According to him, some of them had migrated to Hanumannagar, Saptari. Bats are well distributed in tropics and sub-tropics. In Nepal, the Terai (plain) harbours a good diversity of According to a local resident, in Tanmuna VDC, bats. Most commonly destined Pteropus colonies. Sunsari, 3 Kilometers south-west from Duhabi, there Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), the first and is a large colony of about 500 individuals of Pteropus biggest Ramsar site of Nepal can be a destination of giganteus roosting in a large Simal tree (Bombax bat study. During my visit in October 12, 2007, I was ceiba). informed that microchiropteran roosts are present on the roofs of headquarter office and guesthouse at After Dashara, November, 2007, I visited Kusaha, Sunsari district. The ranger Jha expressed Barahachettra. I was informed that bats roosts in the stinky odour of their droppings casts. A few bats Siddha Gupha (Cave). According to a local fisherman, were seen drinking water in the nearby private ponds they also roost in hydrological observation holes of and wetlands of KTWR in the evening. In Maithilee, a SKSKI project. I was able to see a few among 35 local language, microchiropterans are called such holes, located at Ahale VDC, Dhankutta, north Chamgudri or Kanputri and Baadur to Pteropus. to Triveni Bridge at Barahachhetra. I was informed In Jhangad, another local language, all bats are that bats are called Chhepale in Bantawa Rais called Badri. The villagers of Kusaha VDC reported language and the bat feed on Chyuri, Nepal butter that microchiropterans roosts inside the hollow fruit (Aesandra butyracea). bamboo of thatched roofs. In Bhojpur district, large numbers of Next day, I headed north to Prakashpur VDC, two microchiropterans are seen flying at forest of hours cycling from Kusaha VDC in search for Pteropus Saileshwori temple, in the evening. In Okhaldhunga colonies and bats informations. Hari Bhattrai, a clerk district and Diktel, Khotang district bats are used to of VDC office informed the presence of large group of cure Lommute (Red urination) of cattles. For this bats microchiroptera on the roof of one of the room of the are caught and pieced finely and mixed with grass or previous VDC office. Now the office building is owned straw and then fed to cattle. by armed police force. However, I could see only droppings casts but no bats. In the cupboard of In Saptari district, a Pteropus colony of about 300 Sunshine Boarding School, 5-6 bats come out individuals roosts on Tamarind tree at Rajdevi temple, whenever it is opened said local journalist, Baburam Rajbiraj-9. Another colony of about 400 individuals in Karki. There is a huge colony of about 400 individuals a simal tree is at Gadiyadhuri village (Bansbitti VDC), of Pteropus giganteus roosting in a Simal tree 2 Kilometers north-west from Rajbiraj-Rupani (Bombax ceiba). highway. Temporarily, such colonies are also found in Balarda, Tulshipur chowk, Fathepur. Next day, I reached Pathari VDC, Saptari, the western Bufferzone area of the KTWR. At the border of the KTWR and the Bufferzone area, a Pteropus colony of *Central Dept. of Zoology, T.U, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, about 200 individuals roosting on a Simal tree Nepal. Email: [email protected] 22 BAT NET - CCINSA Newsletter Volume 9, Number 1, Jan-July 2008