- Common Name
- Livingstone’s fruit bat
- Scientific Name
- Pteropus livingstonii
- Status
- Critically Endangered
- Location
- Africa
The goal of this work is to establish long-term incentives for landowners to protect critical habitat for one of the largest fruit bats in the world.
Dr. Isabella Mandl
The Need
Livingstone’s fruit bat (Pteropus livingstonii) is one of the most endangered species of flying fox in the world. Endemic to the islands of Anjouan and Mohéli in the Comoros archipelago, it is one of the few species of flying fox that is not threatened by hunting. However, Comoros has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. As a result, many roosting and foraging sites have been lost, restricting the species to 23 known roosts with a population of around 1,200 individuals. Since 2010, at least three roosts have been lost on Anjouan due to tree felling and clearance for agriculture. Now these bats are confined to narrow strips of forest patches on steep hillsides above 500 meters, and there is an urgent need to protect the remaining roosting sites, foraging areas, and refuges during typhoons.
Dr. Isabella Mandl
Our Approach
Over the last decade, the NGO Dahari has tested different approaches to restoring the heavily degraded forests of Comoros. Based on lessons learned, Dahari has determined that individual-based conservation agreements are the most effective long-term solution for forest protection and could have a transformative effect on the country’s conservation efforts. By identifying critical sites for protection, BCI is supporting Dahari’s efforts to implement this work where it makes the greatest impact to protecting this critically endangered species.
Dr. Isabella Mandl
Our Impact
Currently, seven priority roosts are protected as part of the individualbased conservation agreements. Over 100 farmers have been approached about joining with 10 new employees trained in establishing the agreements with landowners. The research and monitoring work led by BCI has generated standardized population counts and located new tree roosts and foraging trees that will be protected.
About the Bat
The Team
Isabella Mandl, Ph.D. – Regional Director, Africa & South Asia
Isabella has been working on research projects to support the protection of threatened species on
Madagascar and Comoros since 2013. She is a passionate conservation biologist who, besides
highlighting the importance of working with local communities, believes that understanding animal
behaviour is a key component for successful conservation management. Eager to provide support
where she can, Isabella acts as a mentor for students and early career scientists across Africa.
At BCI, Isabella leads the Livingstone’s fruit bat conservation project. She set up a study on the
species’ movements and is responsible for implementing research and survey protocols, with the
goal of understanding how the fruit bats use the landscape. The insights gained through this project
will be applied in conservation measures, preventing this important species from going extinct.
