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Hunting of Microchiroptera in south-western Madagascar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 April 2006

Steven M. Goodman
Affiliation:
Field Museum of Natural History, 1200 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605 USA, and WWF, B.P. 738, Antananarivo (101), Madagascar. E-mail [email protected]
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Abstract

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In February 2005 clear evidence was found of extensive hunting by local people of microchiropteran bats in south-western Madagascar. Hipposideros commersoni (Family Hipposideridae) accumulates heavy fat deposits during this period, weighing on average about 50 g, and is the targeted species. The capture of other smaller species of microchiropterans appears to be incidental. The exploitation of bats for bushmeat in this region takes place during a period of food shortage, and because the level of collection surpasses the breeding potential of these animals it may over time result in extirpation of local populations.

Type
Short Communication
Copyright
© 2006 Fauna & Flora International