Vietnam’s protected areas fall short of safeguarding most bats, study finds

Vietnam’s Protected Areas Fall Short of Safeguarding Most Bats, Study Finds

Bats, known for their fur, agility, and nocturnal flight, are challenging to monitor and protect. Many species hibernate deep in caves or tree hollows for months, while others migrate long distances for food, shelter, and mates. This variety in behavior complicates efforts to include all bat species within conservation plans.

Designing protected areas specifically for bats presents unique difficulties. Studies reveal that these small winged mammals are often overlooked in conservation zones worldwide, including in Africa, Brazil, and now Vietnam.

A recent study published in PLOS ONE reports that only about 6% of Vietnam's land inhabited by bats is covered by the country's existing protected areas. Vietnam harbors nearly one-third of all bat species known in Asia, distributed throughout its tropical forests, mountain valleys, and limestone karst formations.

These habitats expose bats to numerous threats, leading to population declines in many species. The multinational research team from Vietnam, Hungary, and Taiwan used spatial distribution models to assess how well Vietnam’s protected areas cover 81 bat species, including insectivores, frugivores, and eight species classified as globally threatened.

“Only about 6% of the land where bats are found in Vietnam is included within its existing protected area network.”
“Nearly one-third of all bat species known from Asia are found across Vietnam’s remaining tropical forests, mountain valleys and cavernous limestone karst formations, where they face a slew of threats, with many species in decline.”

The findings highlight a significant gap in conservation efforts and suggest the need to better design and expand protected areas to effectively safeguard bat populations in Vietnam.

Author's summary: Vietnam's current protected areas cover only a small fraction of bat habitats, putting many species at risk amid diverse threats and underscoring the urgent need for improved conservation planning.

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Mongabay Mongabay — 2025-11-07

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