Recent research in Mulobezi District by the Livingstone Museum yielded at least 12 different species of bats, most of which are new records for the area. Bats are one of the most diverse group of mammals and they play an important role in the ecosystem. Fruit-eating bats help in seed dispersal, pollination and reforestation, while insect-eating bats help control various insect pests. There are nearly 80 different types of bats in Zambia, but a lot is still to be known about their distribution. The information collected will be added to the upcoming Atlas of Zambian Bats currently being prepared by the Mammalogy Section. The research team – Clare Mateke, Maggie Mwale and Kenneth Kambimbi – and the Livingstone Museum, are grateful to the local authorities in the area for allowing us to carry out this important research.
