The largest known cave roost of bats in the Pacific region has been discovered in Vanuabalavu, Lau.
According to Conservation International, the roost houses a considerable population of the endangered Pacific sheath-tailed bat, marking a key moment in the efforts to conserve this endangered species.
The conservative estimate places the number of bats in the newly-discovered cave at around 2000 to 3000.
This discovery was made possible thanks to a rapid assessment mission, which was a joint effort with the Australian
Museum and the University of Adelaide, aimed at cataloguing and studying the diverse species in Lau.
According to world-renowned mammal expert Professor Kristofer Helgen, they found what they believe is the biggest population and roost for this species in Fiji and the region.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had published an assessment for this species and noted there were approximately 2000 bats in Taveuni in 2018.
This had declined to only a couple of hundreds by 2019.
The discovery also makes the Lau archipelago the largest concentration of this subspecies yet found in the Pacific.
Prof Helgen said a number of additional smaller caverns on the same island were found to be home to this threatened species.
Conservation International Fiji senior director Mere Lakeba said the discovery refocused attention on conservation efforts for the Pacific sheath-tailed bat.
She added the achievement was crucial for Conservation International’s Lau Seascape Strategy.
