Bats are a fascinating and important group of mammals. There are over 1,100 species of bats worldwide, found in all areas bar the Arctic and Antarctic regions and a few isolated oceanic islands.
Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight. They vary greatly in size: the smallest bat in the world is the bumblebee bat from south-east Asia, which weighs only two grammes, while flying foxes, the largest bats, weigh up to 1.5 kilos and have a wingspan up to two metres.
Fauna & Flora International’s conservation work worldwide naturally encompasses protection of habitats utilized by bats. One specific project promotes conservation of the Critically Endangered Pemba flying fox on Pemba island that lies just north of Zanzibar.
Bats are split into two major groups, the megachiropterans and the microchiropterans. There is much debate over the evolution of bats, with some suggesting that megachiropterans are more closely related to primates (including humans) than to microchiropterans. The former feed on fruit as well as pollen, nectar, flowers and leaves. The latter are mainly insectivorous, though some also feed on fruit, pollen, fish, frogs, other bats and even blood.
Currently 521 bat species are considered threatened. The main threats come from habitat destruction and alteration, disturbance at roost sites and persecution by humans. Bats on oceanic islands also face natural threats such as cyclones and typhoons.
Global bat conservation has also been boosted with support from the Flagship Species Fund, which aims to provide practical support to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats in developing countries. The study of hibernation sites of threatened bat species in north-east Ukraine, a greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum conservation programme in Romania, and an extensive education programme focused on bats and caves in Mehedinti County, Romania have all received support from the fund.
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