Lesser Horseshoe Bat
Status: Category VI, Near Threatened, NT: R. A species with a declining population [3].
Distribution overall and in the country. Southern Europe, North Africa, Minor and Middle Asia up to the Northwestern Himalayas. Found in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan (1). In Kyrgyzstan, it has only been recorded in the south of the Osh region (Arawan district) and in the vicinity of the city of Osh [3, 36]. However, sightings of this species in the upper reaches of the Pskem River, in the Bakhmal area, and in the middle reaches of the Ugham River [37, 38], as well as in the vicinity of the village of Shahimardan (Fergana Valley) [39], suggest a wider range for this species.
Habitat. Upper chambers of caves, adits in the foothills and mid-mountains at altitudes up to 2500 m above sea level [3, 37, 39].
Population. In two caves near the city of Osh in 1962-1964, there were 86 and 73 individuals; the colonies were destroyed by tourists [36]. There are no modern data.
Life style (life cycles). The biology of reproduction is poorly studied. It is known that on June 20 in Tajikistan, the young were almost half the size of adults, and in early August, they were feeding independently [3]. Feeding activity in summer begins around 9 PM, about 40-45 minutes after sunset, and ends 35-45 minutes before sunrise [39].
Limiting factors. Destruction of caves, disturbance caused by numerous tourists and vacationers, and possibly environmental pollution by herbicides and pesticides.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). No data available.
Existing conservation measures. The species is listed in the Red Data Book of the Kyrgyz SSR (1985). It is also included in the Red Data Books of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Recommended conservation measures. Restricting access to caves with bats during the breeding season, creating reserves in caves with a complete ban on visitation. Identifying current habitats, population numbers, and breeding periods to develop a conservation system.
Kidik taka tumshuktyu jarganat
Lesser Horseshoe Bat
Phinolophus hipposideros Bechstein, 1800
Status: Category VI, Near Threatened, NT: R. These small-sized bats are rare residents sporadically distributed in the Iran-Turan subspecies (Rh. h. midas Andersen, 1905) of the southwest-Palaearctic species listed in IUCN RLTS. In Kyrgyzstan, there are only two records from the northern part of Osh oblast, although records in neighboring countries suggest a wider distribution in the country. Habitats: roosts in upper cave segments and galleries in low- and mid-montane belts, up to 2,500 m above sea level. The biology is insufficiently studied; young animals begin feeding on their own at the beginning of August (in Tajikistan). The population is decreasing; about 40 years ago, disturbed colonies were registered in two caves, each numbering up to 100 individuals; recently, no data is available. Limiting factors: destruction of caves, disturbance for bats in retreats by tourists, and possibly pesticide pollution in habitats. It is not held in captivity in Kyrgyzstan, and special protection measures have not been undertaken despite its inclusion in the Red Book of the country since 1981. To conserve the species, it is necessary to identify current areas of occupancy, abundance, seasonal biology, and create zoological wildlife areas with a prohibition on speleo-tourism and any disturbance in caves during the breeding period.
