The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve: Final

EASTERN HORSESHOE BAT RHINOLOPHUS MEGAPHYLLUS
EPBC Act: Not Listed TSC Act: Not Listed Priority in Area: Moderate
Occurrence in the Survey Area
Uncommon resident. The eastern horseshoe bat is known to
roost and forage in JKCR, though is present in low densities.
It is a poorly known species that requires further research.
This species may be naturally uncommon within JKCR,
though it has been noted as possibly declining in southern
NSW (A. Spate pers. comm.). This species typically roosts in
caves or other humid and stable environments. Maternity
roosts are typically warmer caves or mines. No maternity
roosts are known to occur within JKCR. Despite their known
Eastern horseshoe bat. Photo © M. Schulz
preference for sheltered caves, an eastern horseshoe bat was
found roosting in a limestone overhang in the McKeowns
Valley during this survey. Overall, this species was not often detected, with other records from Camp
Creek, Mammoth Flat and Mammoth Cave, McKeowns Valley, Paradox Cave, The Devil’s Coach
House and the Surveyors Creek weir. Records are strongly associated with the area of exposed karst.
Regional Conservation Significance
The eastern horseshoe bat is not listed under the NSW TSC Act or Commonwealth EPBC Act.
However, as an obligate cave-roosting bat in NSW, it was identified as a priority species for this study.
Eastern horseshoe bats are uncommon across the region and their conservation status is poorly
understood, with records are scattered throughout the region. A large maternity roost (~10,000 bats)
occurs near Sydney (Churchill 2008); however it is possible that other maternity sites occur in the
region, particularly in the expanse of the Southern Blue Mountains. Although the population at JKCR
was low at the time of the current survey, and high numbers have never been recorded, the extensive
potential habitat means that the population at JKCR is still of conservation significance.
Threats in the Survey Area
Disturbance by cavers and other members of the public of roost sites; predation by the fox and feral
cats; cave management that alters temperature and humidity (see cave-dwelling fauna section 9). In
addition, like all cave-roosting bats, this species may be vulnerable to white-nose syndrome. The
species is predicted to face increased stress from climate change and is likely to contract toward the
coast (Wilson preliminary data) and extirpation in the JKCR and surrounding regions is possible.
Management Considerations
Limit public disturbance of roost location,
particularly over winter.
Control of feral cats and foxes.
Care should be given when installing additional
lighting or upgrading existing lighting that it will not
impact on roosting bats.
Avoid activities that will impact on the temperature
and humidity of caves.
Avoid gating caves where this bat is known to roost
(may be less of an issue than for other species).
New cave gates or upgrading of existing gates
should follow the OEH cave gating guidelines
(DECCW 2010b) with site-based assessment and
monitoring in consultation with a bat ecologist and
the Australasian Bat Society.
For further details on managing cave-dwelling bats
see section 9.
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The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve