Troodos, Cyprus. A large colony of rare Rhinolophus euryale bats has been discovered in a Troodos cave, the Forestry Department said on Monday. The department said the finding offers optimism about the species’ survival on the island.
Discovery in Troodos national forest park
In a Facebook post, the Forestry Department said the discovery in Troodos’ national forest park during the winter season “sends optimistic messages regarding the survival of the specific species on our island”.
Importance of hibernation habitats
The department said the find confirms the importance of the Troodos national forest park as a hibernation site for various bat species and highlighted the need to protect these habitats.
Species status and vulnerability
The Mediterranean horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus euryale) is described as “one of the rarest cave-dwelling bat species in Europe and one of the rarest species in Cyprus”. The department said its population is greatly affected by disturbance and loss of habitat.
Feeding and ecological role
The department said the bats feed in forest and rural landscapes, mainly hunting moths. It added that, due to its specialised flight, the species can hunt in dense forest vegetation and is an important indicator of ecological quality.
Protection and classification
The species is classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is strictly protected by an EU directive.
How should the Troodos national forest park’s bat hibernation habitats be protected from disturbance and habitat loss?
