The Status of Nepal's Mammals: The National Red List Series - IUCN

178) Pteropus giganteus (Brünnich, 1782)
Common Names
Indian Flying Fox (English); Raj Chamero (Nepali)
Synonyms
Vespertilio gigantean (Brunnich, 1782); Pteropus
medius (Temminck, 1825); Pteropus edwardsi
(I. Geoffroy, 1828); Pteropus leucocephalus (Hodgson,
1835); Pteropus assamensis (McClelland, 1839);
Pteropus ruvicollis (Ogilby, 1840); Pteropus kelaarti
(Gray, 1871); Pteropus ariel (Allen, 1908)
Species Description
This is the largest and most well-known of the
Nepalese bats. Pelage is chestnut-brown, tan or
orange with paler cream-beige ventral pelage. Face
and muzzle are black and hairless. Eyes are large
an dark brown. Ears are small, rounded and black.
Wings are large and black.
Species Ecology
Indian Flying Fox roosts in large colonies on large
trees in rural and urban areas, close to agricultural
fields, ponds and by the side of roads.
A single young is born between April to early June.
Colonies usually have a permanent roost with one
or two temporary roosts to which individuals shift
depending on season.
Conservation Status
Global: Least Concern
National: Least Concern
Rationale for assessment: This species is considered
Least Concern in view of its wide distribution,
presumed large population, occurrence within
protected areas, tolerance of habitat modification
and and because it is unlikely to be declining fast
enough to qualify for a threatened category.
Legal Status
All Pteropus species are listed under CITES Appendix
II. National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973).
National Population Size
This species is currently considered common and
widespread throughout its range. A colony of 5,000
individuals was recorded at Kerkha, which is the
largest colony recorded of this species in Nepal.
However, the overall population in Nepal is thought
to have experienced decline over the past five years.
For example, in the Palpa District, an entire colony
of this species disappeared 10 years ago from Argali
VDC. Additionally, Madan Pokhara Valley and Tansen
Municipality have experienced dramatic declines
and research in Kathmandu Valley also indicates
declines in local populations.
National Distribution
This species is widely distributed across most of
Nepal, including Kathmandu Valley, Kerkha, Jhapa
(Taaghandubba), Saptari, Itahari and Prakashpur
in Sunsari and Biratnagar in the eastern lowlands,
Kaski, Dang, Taulihawa (Kapilvastu District) and
Palpa District.
Distribution outside Nepal
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Maldives,
Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
Main Threats
Unknown.
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