Discover the largest bat horse population in Vietnam

In the island district of Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), researchers on wildlife have discovered the largest population of horse bats (pteroqus spp) in Vietnam.

Preliminary estimates of this population of about 1,500 individuals, relocation of residence in one of 3 locations of submerged Melaleuca forest in Ganh Dau commune.

Big horse bat (Pteropus vampyrus) - (Photo: dkimages)

This new record is part of the Cooperation Program between Wildlife At Risk-WAR in Vietnam and Phu Quoc National Park.

According to Master Nguyen Vu Khoi, Executive Director of WAR in Vietnam, horse bats of this population have been identified, including large horse bats (Pteropus vampyrus), baby horse bats (Pteropus cf hypomelanus) and Thai horse bat (Pteropus lylei).

Currently, this bat species is only present in the Mekong Delta, namely Soc Trang, Ca Mau and Kien Giang. Due to the feeding characteristics of orchards in a radius of 10-15 km, this bat species is threatened by illegal hunting.

Bat research experts are proposing to include this bat in the Vietnam Red Book and the list of protected species under the Government's Decree.

Bat populations.(Illustration)