The status of the peka on Niue: population surveys of Pteropus Tonganus / Anne P. Brooke

Abstract

During September 1998 field surveys were conducted to estimate the population of Pteropus longonlls and three Huvalu Forest conservation officers were trained to monitor bats by evening dispersal counts. The island-wide population was estimated at 1,900-3,800 bats from dispersal counts of colonies, while at the 22 stations established to monitor the long-term changes in the bat population, 447 bats were sighted. Only one colony was identified in the Huvalu Forest, in or near the Lik'U tapu area, while the two largest colonies were found northeast of the Huvalu Forest.