Rare bat species recorded after 60 years: Researcher

Tickell's Bat (Hesperoptenustickelli), a rare species not seen in Sri Lanka for 60 years, has been spotted again alive, according to DrTarakaKusuminda, a bat researcher from the University of Colombo's Department of Zoology.

 

Speaking to the media, DrKusuminda stated that this species had not been recorded in Sri Lanka since 1963.

 

Consequently, it had been classified as a species with insufficient data in the Red Data Register.

 

This bat, characterized by its small body size, belongs to the family Vespertilionidae.

 

DrKusumindasaid that while the species was once commonly found in dry, wet, and intermediate ecological zones, there had been no records of its existence since 1963. Specimens collected at that time are currently housed in the Colombo National Museum.

 

He reported that three individuals of this species were recently found in Sri Lanka. These sightings were documented in three separate locations: Eknaligoda in Kuruvita, Halloluwa in Kandy, and Hokandara in Colombo.

 

DrKusuminda explained that, based on historical and recent studies, this bat species is known to roost among the leaves of tall, large-leaved plants. However, due to the absence of data over the past 58 years, very little is known about the species' behavior, habitat preferences, or lifestyle.