Project Update: January 2011

Since September 2010, four visits of 6 days each per month have been undertaken on the study site. Three species of bats were observed when visiting focal trees, Eidolon helvum, Epomophorus gambianus and Micropteropus pusillus. Among these species, only Eidolon helvum and Epomophorus gambianus were observed taking fruits of Azadirachta indica. Night observation on focal trees (96 hours) reveals that Eidolon helvum were recorded eating fruits on about 8.3 % of the visiting population, while Epomophorus gambianus were recorded eating fruits on focal tree on more than 90 % of the overall population. We have also observed a progressive migration of the Eidolon colony of Maroua with the arrival of the wet season in August. To date, faecal sample analysis reveals nine plant species in the diet of Eidolon helvum. These plants mainly include fruits of agricultural plants (papaya, guavas, etc.). Diurnal observation reveals that five species of birds were observed taking or eating fruits of Azadirachta indica.