- Common Name
- African Trident Bat
- Scientific Name
- Triaenops afer
- Status
- Least Concern
- Location
- Mozambique
The goal of this work is to establish sustainable guano extraction guidelines that can be replicated across sites.
The Need
Guano harvesting, a source of income for many communities, poses a significant threat to bat populations, but especially where bat species are highly sensitive to disturbance. With the projected rise of an international market for bat guano as an organic fertilizer, sustainable guano harvesting protocols are desperately needed to ensure the stability of bat populations, protect cave ecosystems as a whole, and ensure long-term viability of these resources for communities reliant on them. Mozambique’s varied landscape provides habitats for over 70 species of bat, many of which roost in caves. However, the increase in industrial-scale guano extraction is threatening these fragile ecosystems and the bats that depend on them.
Our Approach
In 2023 we were approached by the Gorongosa National Park to provide assistance with a guano-extraction company interested in scaling up their production in a sustainable way. In collaboration with Gorongosa National Park, BCI led initial assessments of the caves and began working with the guano extraction company to develop guidelines for sustainable levels of guano extraction. Work has also begun to collect baseline data for effective monitoring to assess the impact of guano harvesting on the bats using the cave so adaptive management practices can be implemented if needed.
Our Impact
The Codzue cave system is located in a difficult-to-access, vastly under-explored area in central Mozambique. Initial surveys indicate that there are at least 26 different bat species using these caves. By working proactively with the guano industry, we will develop a series of best practices that can be replicated across Mozambique and other countries where guano harvesting occurs.
About The Bats
The Mozambique Team
Isabella Mandl, Ph.D. – Regional Director, Africa & South Asia
Isabella has been working on research projects to support the protection of threatened species on
Madagascar and Comoros since 2013. She is a passionate conservation biologist who, besides
highlighting the importance of working with local communities, believes that understanding animal
behaviour is a key component for successful conservation management. Eager to provide support
where she can, Isabella acts as a mentor for students and early career scientists across Africa.
At BCI, Isabella leads the Livingstone’s fruit bat conservation project. She set up a study on the
species’ movements and is responsible for implementing research and survey protocols, with the
goal of understanding how the fruit bats use the landscape. The insights gained through this project
will be applied in conservation measures, preventing this important species from going extinct.
Natalie Weber – Strategic Advisor for Endangered Species – Africa
As strategic advisor for Endangered Species Africa, Natalie is responsible for supporting BCI’s efforts to prevent or reverse the decline of threatened bat species and loss of critical habitats, mainly in Guinea but also other countries across Africa. To this end, she is working with several partners from local NGOs to international stakeholders as to assess bat diversity in key (protected) areas, identify conservation priorities, and enhance protection of sites crucial for bat species conservation.
Natalie is experienced as independent conservation scientist and research consultant with a focus on bats for almost 20 years and has conducted (field) works in more than 10 countries in Africa (and further in SE Asia and Europe). She has covered a large range of projects and the proven ability to flexibly handle different tasks, from leading field teams to project coordination and management. Her tasks also include capacity building of numerous students and technicians in cooperation with local partners as well as raising awareness about the ecological importance of bats among resident communities. In general, she likes working in different surroundings to always learn more about ecological interrelations and species-specific resource requirements, and to develop tailored conservation strategies.
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.
