Fijian Monkey-faced Bat

activity

Activity patterns. Fijian Monkey-faced Fruit Bats are nocturnal. They roost in epiphytic fern clumps in subcanopies.

Pteropodidae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Fijian Monkey-faced Fruit Bat probably roosts alone, in pairs, or in small groups. Highly distinctive call might be used to maintain contact among individuals.

Pteropodidae

breeding

Breeding. Pregnant and lactating Fijian Monkey-faced Fruit Bats were recorded in May.

Pteropodidae

conservation

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Fijian Monkey-faced Fruit Bat is one of the rarest bats in the world. As of 2009, it is only known from six specimens (two in the 1978 type series), all from the same area — Mount Koroturanga (= Des Voeux Peak) on Taveuni Island, above 800 m, with total known extent of occurrence less than 100 km? and an estimated population under 1000 individuals. It might occur on considerably larger island of Vanua Levu that apparently contains suitable habitat (mossy montane forest; e. g. on Mount Delaikoro), but surveys failed to confirm this. On Taveuni, the Fijian Monkey-faced Fruit Batis threatened by habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation from cyclones, agricultural and urban development, encroachment, and pollution. It occurs in Taveuni Forest Reserve, but protection is not effective there; it might occur in Ravilevu Nature Reserve. Conservation actions have included partnerships among international and local parties to survey area of known occupancy, with capture and release of the sixth known specimen (pregnant female) in 2009, and creation of a recovery plan by local conservation non-government

Pteropodidae