Vol 3 Land Resource Inventory Report - Department of Environment ...

found in Fiji include Rodentia (mice, rats), Chiroptera (bats), Carnivora (dogs, cats,
mongoose), Perissodactyla (horse), Certartiopdactyla (whales) and Primates (human). The
Certartiopdactyla of Fiji is covered separately from the land mammals in this Inventory. The
primates and some of the domesticated mammals (e.g. cattles, dogs, cats, etc.) are noted in
this brief, although no detailed information is provided with regards to their status and
diversity.
Isolated islands with recent geological history such as those of Fiji do not have the diverse
mammal fauna that occurs on continental landmasses. Fiji‘s land or terrestrial native
mammals are few comprising entirely of six bat and flying fox species. Other non-native
mammals were introduced by the early inhabitants of the islands (e.g. rats, pigs, dogs,) and
subsequent voyages. Domestic animals (cattle, goat, deer, sheep) were introduced for various
reasons, including economic agricultural development.
Table 3.9: Land Mammals of Fiji
Pacific Flying-fox Pteropus tonganus
Samoan Flying-fox Pteropus samoensis
Fiji Monkey-faced bat Mirimiri acrodonta
Fijian Blossom-bat Notopteris macdonaldi
Polynesia Sheath-tail bat Emballonura semicaudata
Fijian Mastiff-bat Chaerephon bregullae
Feral Cat Felis domesticus
Feral Pig Sus scrofa
Polynesian Rat Rattus exulans
Black (or Ship) Rat Rattus rattus
Brown (or Common) Rat Rattus norvegicus
House Mouse Mus musculus
Indian Mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus
Deer Dama dama
Goat Capra hircus
Dog Canis familiaris
Horse Equus caballus
Cattle Bos Taurus (indicus)
Sheep Ovis aris
Source: Created by Tikoca and Skelton, (2010).
A survey of bats undertaken by Palmeirim et al. from 2000-2001 in over 30 islands provided
the most up-to-date summary of the state of native bats. The Pacific Flying-fox (Pteropus
tonganus) was considered of least concern, despite being a target for local consumption.
Table 3.10: Key Sites for Bat Conservation in Fiji
Sites Rationale
Yaqeta Island cave, Cave harbouring a colony of E. semicaudata with several
Yasawa
hundred individuals.
Bekabeka cave, Vanua Nursing colony of C. bregullae with thousands of individuals.
Levu
Only roost of the species known in Fiji and one of three known
globally.
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