THE PEMBA FLYING FOX

Range The Pemba Flying Fox (Pteropus voeltzkowi) is a fascinating species of bat that can only be found on Pemba Island off the coast of Tanzania. Their habitat consists of tropical forests, mangroves, and even uninhabited traditional grave sights on the island. Description The Pemba flying fox has a charismatic fox or dog-like face which is covered with a coat of bright auburn fur. These bats represent the largest fruit bats in the world. Although they weigh just over a pound, their wings can span over 5.5 feet across - that is longer than the height of some humans! They live in large social colonies of up to 850 individuals. The Pemba Flying Fox is in the minority of bat species with great eyesight, which eliminates the need to use echolocation to navigate where they are going. And contrary to what one might assume, these bats roost during broad daylight in trees instead of in caves. Their diet consists mainly of fruit such as figs, breadfruit, and mangos, as well as nectar, pollen, flowers, and leaves. They are an important species for seed dispersal because they carry fruit and plant seeds in their digestive system to other parts of the island. Threats and Solutions The Pemba Flying Fox is a success story in the world of conservation. In the early 1990s the total population was critically endangered with only a few hundred individuals left at most. But it made a huge turnaround by the end of the decade with around 5,000 individuals and was last estimated in 2006 to be at an impressive 22,000 – 36,000 individuals. Environmental eduction in the area has raised awareness of the importance of this species as well as the need for sustainable hunting. Since shotgun hunting became rampant, the use of shotguns to hunt this animal has been outlawed. The local people have gone from valuing the bat for its meat to valuing its survival and even forming clubs that protect roosts in the area. This, along with efforts to protect their remaining natural habitat, including bat-related ecotourism, has given this unique species a chance to rebound.