- Common Name
- Antioquian sac-winged bat
- Scientific Name
- saccopteryx-antioquensis
- Status
- Endangered
- Location
- South America
The goal of this work is to protect an estimated 500 hectares of key habitat for the endangered Antioquian sac-winged bat, including 12 caves, that benefits an additional 55 species of bats.
The Antioquian sac-winged bat (Saccopteryx antioquensis) was first discovered in 2001 in the southeastern region of Antioquia, Colombia. It took almost twenty years before this species was seen again — in the same area as before. Little is known about this small insectivorous bat, only that it is restricted to a lowland wet forest associated with a karst corridor of Antioquia. What is known is that this area is under increasing pressure from the mining industry, creating significant risk that critical habitat for this bat will be lost forever before its needs are fully known.
The Need
The Antioquian sac-winged bat (Saccopteryx antioquensis) was first discovered in 2001 in the southeastern region of Antioquia, Colombia. It took almost twenty years before this species was seen again — in the same area as before. Little is known about this small insectivorous bat, only that it is restricted to a lowland wet forest associated with a karst corridor of Antioquia. What is known is that this area is under increasing pressure from the mining industry, creating significant risk that critical habitat for this bat will be lost forever before its needs are fully known.
Our Approach
The aim of this work is to prevent further habitat loss, save the Antioquian sac-winged bat from extinction, and provide long-term protection for this endangered species. We will achieve this by conducting the research needed to identify critical habitat for the Antioquian sac-winged bat and establishing a series of ‘Habitat Banks’ within the Corredor Kárstico del Oriente Antioqueño (CoKOA). Habitat banking is a mechanism through which private companies compensate for their environmental impacts to comply with legal obligations which provides adequate resources to create a sustainable conservation plan for the protection of the Antioquian sac-winged bat and its habitats.
Our Impact
Research activities are ongoing, but by the end of this project we expect to protect at least 500 hectares of critical habitat for the Antioquian sac-winged bat under this mitigation measure. Initial assessments suggest that this will benefit up to 55 other species of bats as well as safeguard a wealth of other biodiversity in the region. As this is the first time habitat banks have been used for bats, we hope this project will serve as a framework to accelerate other bat conservation initiatives in the region.
About The Bat
Saccopteryx antioquensis
Emballonuridae
The Colombia Team
Melquisedec Gamba-Rios, Ph.D. – Regional Director, Latin America & Caribbean
Melquisedec is the ESI Team’s Regional Director for Latin America and & Caribbean Initiatives. In this role, Melqui is responsible for identifying priority areas for the Endangered Species Interventions team to focus, and work with in-country partners to co-develop effective strategies to protect and recover endangered bat species, populations, or habitats.
Melqui has been working with bat ecology and conservation for over 20 years. Originally from Colombia, Melqui conducted most of his research work in Costa Rica. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he investigated antipredator behaviors in bats and the implication in bat communication and sociality. He has published work on topics including species distribution, habitat selection, and roost requirements for multiple bat species, with a particular emphasis on the neotropics.
Jon Flanders, Ph.D. – Director, Endangered Species Interventions
Dr. Jon Flanders is responsible for leading conservation initiatives that effectively address BCI’s global conservation priorities. With over 20 years of experience working on conservation projects across the globe, Jon recognizes the importance of partnerships in delivering social, environmental and economic benefits. Working with a range of organizations, from small non-profits to government departments he can strategically prioritize projects that balance conservation needs with sustainability.
Jon received his Ph.D. from the University of Bristol where he integrated investigations of the ecology, diet, and population genetics of the greater horseshoe bat to advance its conservation. Prior to joining BCI, Jon had worked extensively across Asia and Central America leading a variety of conservation-related research projects, as well as teaching workshops and outreach efforts for local researchers and students.
Jon is an Adjunct Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Tulane University and a Research Associate at the American Museum of Natural History.
Key Collaborators
- Cuantico
- La Ruta de las Alas
- Programa para la Conservación de los Murciélagos de Colombia
- Terrasos
- Universidad de Antioquia
- Universidad del Rosario
