Aberdeen University Seychelles Expedition 2004
A group of six undergraduate students from the University of Aberdeen are heading off to the Seychelles to carry out much-needed research on the 'sheath-tailed' bat, in a bid to save the bats from extinction.
The destination and location of the research is the Republic of the Seychelles. The Seychelles 'sheath-tailed' bat has undergone a severe and recent decline over the years. Historically recorded as abundant, the current population has been estimated at between 50 to 100 individuals, with less than 40 actually recorded. The team hope to determine the current population level of the 'sheath-tailed' bat and to outline measures to improve its conservation status.
Threats to the bats are unknown but are speculated to be predation by barn owls, destruction of habitat, and historical / current heavy use of pesticides.
The proposed work has been planned in collaboration with Nature Seychelles (NGO) which carries out conservation and educational programmes. Several members of NGO will be joining the project to provide local expertise and training in the relevant survey methods and the group of lucky students aim to compile a species recovery plan.
The research expedition comprises a very strong international team with good links in the host country. Members range from James Cook University (Australia), Liverpool, St Andrews and Aberdeen Universities (UK) and Nature Seychelles (Seychellois NGO).
Sinclair Laing, this year's Advisor to the Aberdeen University Expedition Society and Team Leader for this particular expedition is looking forward to participating in the forthcoming trip. He said: "I am looking forward to heading to the Seychelles to begin our planned research as this is a great international conservation project.
"It is very much the hope of the expedition team members that the collaboration between the universities, Nature Seychelles and other institutions will allow a mutually-beneficial transfer of knowledge and cultural understanding amongst those involved. It will also allow a great deal of field training and personal development for the core expedition members.
"There is an extremely urgent need to save the 'sheath-tailed' bat from extinction and I hope that our expedition and the research that we will conduct will improve its conservation status."