Cave protection.
Protecting roosts of at-risk cave-dwelling bats and the communities that depend on these ecosystems
WHY CAVES MATTER
A single cave disturbance can collapse an entire colony
Across West Africa, caves and cave-like roosts are home to some of the continent's most ecologically important and threatened bat species. A single disturbance event at a roost can collapse an entire colony. Hunting and habitat destruction around cave entrances are pushing species to the brink of extinction.
© SMACON
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Egyptian Fruit Bat
Rousettus aegyptiacus
This cave-roosting fruit bat is highly dependent on stable roosting environments. Disturbing a single colony can cascade through the local population. It is among the most commonly hunted bat species in the region.
Photo: © SMACON
ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN SOURCES
Reducing bat hunting pressure through alternative livelihoods
Our evidence-based approach to reduce hunting pressure on the Egyptian fruit bat and prevent potential zoonotic disease spread.
