Broad-eared bat / Erin's bat / European Free-tailed bat

Broad-eared bat

Status: Category VII, Lower Risk/least concerned, LR/lc.

Distribution overall and in the country. Mountain regions of Eurasia, North Africa. Found in all countries of Central Asia and in Kazakhstan, and everywhere it is considered a rare species [10]. Previously, it was believed to be found only in caves around the city of Osh [9]. According to recent studies [42], this species is found almost everywhere throughout Kyrgyzstan.

Habitat. Typical inhabitant of mountains, it prefers rocky areas in low and mid-mountain regions (sometimes up to 3000 m above sea level), settling in rock crevices and on cave ceilings [4, 11, 37].

Population. According to the results of the Swiss-Czech-Kyrgyz expedition in 1992, out of 44 surveyed landscape areas throughout Kyrgyzstan, the bat was found in 22, at altitudes ranging from 700 to 2500 m, and once around 3000 m. In one location in the Ton district of the Issyk-Kul region and in 3 areas of the Aravan district of the Osh region, numerous calls of the animal were heard throughout the night. In 8 surveyed sites, calls were heard regularly, and finally, in 10 habitats - only isolated calls. Among the bats caught in mist nets, the broad-eared bat ranked second in terms of capture frequency, with a total of 81 individuals caught. Finally, over a hundred individuals were visually observed (September 21, 1992) flying over the Arashan River and its rocky banks [42].

Life style (life cycles). Migratory species, especially in the northern part of its range [11]. In one of the caves in Kyrgyzstan, it was found from late May to mid-August [36, 44]. The biology of reproduction is poorly studied; it is known that females give birth to one pup in June [4, 9, 11]. It lives in large colonies, where there may be one male for several females. It can fly up to 20 km for hunting [10].

Limiting factors. Frequent human visitation of caves [36], possibly the use of herbicides and pesticides in agriculture near colonies [9, 37].

Breeding (keeping in captivity). No data available.

Existing conservation measures. Since 1975, the species has been included in the List of specially protected species, included in the Red Data Book of the Kyrgyz SSR (1985), as well as in the Red Data Books of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

Recommended conservation measures. Protection of caves and suitable habitats. Conducting awareness-raising work among the local population.

Kos erin zharganaty

European Free-tailed bat
Tadarida teniotis Rafinesque, 1814
Status: VII category, Lower Risk/least concerned, LR/lc. It is comparatively large, naturally rare migratory locally distributed south-Palaearctic mastiff bat species, was considered extremely rare in Kyrgyzstan up to present times. This globally vulnerable colonial species is listed in many regional Red Books along the area of distribution. In Kyrgyzstan these bats were observed in 22 sites out of 44 throughout the country by Swiss-Czech-Kyrgyz zoological expedition in 1992. This typical mountain species populates in rocky localities in low- and mid-mountain belts, sometimes up to 3,000 m above sea level; roosting spots are deep rocky clefts and ceilings of caves. There were numerous calls heard during the night in 4 sites, regular calls - in 8 sites isolated calls were heard in 10 sites out of those 22. Among bat species captured by mist nets, European Free-tailed Bat occupied the second place by number, altogether there were 81 animals captured. Finally, over 100 bats were observed visually along the Aravan river in Aravansky rayon. Seasonal biology (hibernation, migration etc.) is insufficiently studied; period of reproduction begins in May - June, females bore 1-2 cubs in June, young bats achieve reproduction age in one year time, bats catch night flying insects. Limiting factors: disturbance in retreats by human (disturbed bats left caves), probably pesticide treatment in surrounding agricultural lands. It is not held in captivity in Kyrgyzstan, special protection measures were not undertaken despite the species has formal status of protected species in the country since 1975 year and is listed in Red Books of USSR and Kyrgyzstan. To conserve the species it is necessary to prevent human visits in caves populated by bats and awareness building work for local people.