Project Update: April 2007

To date, we have carried out our activities in six of the ten areas that were planed, covering four major habitat types. Some important results of the bat survey include new distributional records, the first specimen for Bolivia of a recently described species, and also the record of an insectivorous phyllostomid for the first time in the dry valley habitat. Our education activities granted us many satisfactions; once again we proved that it is possible to educate adults, although it demands a lot more effort to gather them.

In all sites, adults were grateful that we take the time to explain our work and the many benefits they obtain from bats. In every community we visited, education in the local schools was also very important, and we covered 80 to 95% of all students. Many key contacts were made, especially with two indigenous communities (the Moseten and the Ava-guaraní) and with the administration of Toro Toro National Park. Although some of our activities were delayed due to the destroyed roads and flooding that sadly affected Bolivia the past months, the project is stronger than ever: we have assured the continuity of the project after this 2nd Rufford with new financing!