Population Status, General Behavior and Threats of Flying Fox (Pteropus Giganteus) in Sallaghari, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Abstract

The present study was done in the population status, general behavior and threats for survival of flying fox (Pteropus gigateus) of Sallaghari in Bhaktapur, Nepal. The study was conducted from August 2006 to September 2007 by thorough count and direct observation method.

The highest number of bat was counted 1428 individuals in September 2006. There was not a single bat from December to February. Three different age groups i.e., old and isolated, adult and infant of six each are selected for behavioral study totaling 18 bats under constant observation. Focal bats were observed for 12362 minutes (206 hour) applying 11 hours 26 minutes per bat. Nine general behaviors- grooming, resting, spreading wings, flapping, chattering, crawling, fighting, and mating were recorded. Infant bats rest the most (78.27%) of total study time while old and isolated groom the most (11.26%) than other two groups. Crows attack old and isolated bats frequently which very different in frequency than adult and infant. Crows did not attack adult and infant. Old and isolated bats flapped more (7.75%). Infants crawl, chatter, spread wings and fight each other much more than other two groups. Adult were found active in mating behavior and their system showed both polyandry and polygamy characters.

Human intervention is major disturbances for bat and naked electric wires cause death of bats accidentally. Local people kill bats for medicinal belief. Using pesticide, herbicide and other chemical in the local agricultural field causes threats for their survival. Area around the roosting site is being polluted as drainage and sewages are directly dumped in nearby rivers which is the main source of water for bats. So, management of their habitat for the bat conservation must be initiated.