Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Researchers from Bhattadev University discovered the Malayan Bamboo Bat in the Siluk area of Goalpara district. This marks the first scientifically confirmed record of the species, known locally as Sunga Baduli, in Assam. The find increases the state's total number of documented bat species from 39 to 40.
Associate Professor Akshay Kumar Haloi and PhD scholar Jugal Kishore Talukdar led the study on bat taxonomy and habitat ecology. The Malayan Bamboo Bat features a flattened skull and adhesive pads on its feet and thumbs, which help it cling to the inside of bamboo stems. Experts from the Zoological Survey of India, North Eastern Regional Centre in Shillong, and ProGenome Lab in Mumbai verified the identity of the animal.
Assam previously had no verified records of the species, though it exists in neighboring Meghalaya. Haloi stated, "the discovery is an important addition to Assam's faunal records and demonstrates the value of systematic biodiversity research."
Bats in the region face major threats today. Habitat degradation, the destruction of roosting sites, and the widespread use of pesticides kill them off. Many die because people fear them or hold persistent misconceptions. Protecting bamboo forests remains vital for the survival of these mammals.
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