University of Bristol Choiseul ’95, Solomon Islands

Evan Bowen-Jones

A checklist of bats on the island of Choiseul was compiled. A study of Fruit bats showed that the Monkey-faced fox (Pteralopex anceps) previously thought to be extinct still exists on Choiseul, and provided further information of the population and status of both the Solomons Flying Fox (Pteropus rayneri grandis) and Sanborn's Flying Fox (Pteropus mahaganus). Additional survey work on the insectivorous bats and other fauna added to the knowledge of the relatively poorly studied island. Several species of large and small bats were photographed for the first time in life. Education materials will be produced and distributed to schools in Choiseul to assist conservation.