What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: In a remarkable discovery a Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat (Otomops wroughtoni) was recently sighted at Yamuna Biodiversity Park in North Delhi, marking the first record of this species not only in Delhi-NCR but also in northern India. This bat species is typically found in the Western Ghats near Karnataka and has also been recorded in Meghalaya and Cambodia, making its presence in Delhi a rare and exciting find.
Historically, Delhi has recorded 14 bat species and this sighting brings the total to 15 unique species in the region. The discovery was made on December 1 by Faiyaz Khudsar who is the scientist-in-charge of Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) Biodiversity Parks Programme and documentation officer Mohan Singh during a routine field visit. The bat was observed clinging to a tree and was subsequently photographed and identified.
Conservation and Bat researchers emphasized the significance of this sighting and according to them “The Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat is a rare species known only from four locations in India and Cambodia. This sighting from Delhi NCR is the first record from anywhere in northern India. It raises several questions about the ecology of this rare bat. It is unknown whether this species migrates. Systematically monitoring areas where the species has been recorded is required to find answers.”
The Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat was first discovered in 1913 by British Zoologist Dr M. R. Oldfield Thomas. This species roosts in caves or dark, damp, and slightly warm places in moderate colony sizes and is known for its powerful flying capabilities. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) this species is classified as Critically Endangered.
ALSO READ: Efforts to relocate villages from Kawal Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger
Sumit Dookia is an assistant professor at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and a long-term study by Sumit Dookia and his PhD student Rajlakshmi Mishra revealed that out of the 14 historical bat species in Delhi, four species are no longer being seen in the region and have likely become locally extinct.
The Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat is ecologically important for regulating insect populations and assisting in pollination. Its discovery in Delhi underscores the need for continued conservation efforts and habitat monitoring to protect this rare species and its habitat.
This sighting is a testament to the rich biodiversity that still exists in urban environments and highlights the importance of preserving natural habitats even within densely populated areas. It also raises questions about the potential migration patterns of this species and the need for further research to understand its ecology better.
