Conservation of the Critically Endangered Seychelles sheath-tailed bat

Sarah Burthe

The Seychelles sheath-tailed bat has undergone a severe decline during the mid-to-late 20th century and is now extinct on most islands. Complete extinction seems likely without the implementation of conservation measures. The species is chronically data deficient, and therefore coherent, up-to-date information is required for the drafting of a species action plan containing a long-term recovery strategy. This project is therefore a pilot study on which to base and steer clearly defined activities in order to achieve long-term goals. The study will focus on the location of roosts and bat detector surveys, once the range and roosts are established then preliminary work on habitat use, diet and roost requirements can commence.