Short Nosed Fruit Bat
“ Since bats play an important role in many eco systems and some are considered to be key stone species, loss of bats could seriously threaten the survival of tropical rain forests. Bats are the major seed dispersers of many tropical plants and trees. The elimination of these bats may cause seed dispersal and tree reproduction to cease. Bats also play an innumerable role in controlling the nocturnal aerial insects many of which are pests of agricultural crops.” [1]
A Quick Observation: A small colony of tiny bats roost in the garden. We see about 10 to 12 small bats underneath a Coconut palm frond. Sometimes late in the evenings one or two bats are seen feeding on Karapincha fruits.
This is the sad story of a mum and its pup. It was mid-day when a tiny bat came flying to a bush. Isn’t that an odd time for a bat’s flight? We were delighted to see that it was with its pup. The pup was clinging on to its mother. About two hours later we came back to observe the duo. The pup tried to go round the mother when it suddenly fell down and was hanging on a mesh trying to climb up. Although the pup fell down the mother didn’t seem to bother. We moved away so that the mother will be able to help it. When we returned a little while later, the pup was on the ground — now lying motionless. The mother was “fast asleep” closing its face with the wings. What? Isn’t she bothered? As dusk fell, the mother slowly woke up. Away she flew as if nothing happened. Our hearts sank. This is nature — what could have been the reason?