DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)

Biodiversity Assessment
of
Limestone Karst Dependent Bats in Myanmar (Burma)

A joint project of the Harrison Institute and the University of Yangon (Rangoon)

The Darwin team identifying bat voucher specimens

Project aims

• To describe and map the distribution of karst dependent bats in Myanmar
• To establish within Yangon University a centre of expertise in bat research and conservation

Project activities

• Field surveys
• Training of Myanmar students
• Identifying key sites for conservation
• Strengthening international scientific links
• Education programme
• Compiling field identification guides and databases
• Disseminating data and research findings to the international scientific community

Darwin trainee Ms Yin Yin Toke discussing her poster presentation with Professor Paul Racey (Chairman of the IUCN Bat Specialist Group) at the international conference TranKarst 2004 in Vietnam, September, 2004

Key outputs of Year Three (1st. April, 2004.............)

• Thirteen Darwin staff and trainees (2 UK and 11 Myanmar) participated in and presented three papers and four posters at two international conferences - 13th International bat conference in Poland (23-27 August, 2004) and TransKarst Conference in Vietnam (13-18 September, 2004)
• Data contributed to Southeat Asian Mammals Databank (SAMD) at an international workshop in Thailand (3-7 May, 2004)
• Three Darwin trainees completed their PhD theses on bats (Ms Yin Yin Toke, Ms Nyo Nyo and Ms Khin Mie Mie)
• One Yangon University staff member (Head of Department, Professor Daw Tin Nwe) and one Darwin trainee (Dr Mar Mar Thi) undertook a study visit to the Harrison Institute (16-23 August)
• Publications prepared and submitted on a wide range of topics, including bat phylogeny, endangered species, taxonomic reviews and revisions, and new species to science. One paper on Myanmar's horseshoe bats published.

Darwin trainee Mrs Mar Mar Thi giving a presentation at the 13th International Bat conferenc in Poland, August, 2004

Key outputs of Year Two (1st. April, 2003 - 31st. March, 2004)

• Presentations were made at two international conferences - Interactions in the Tropics (British Ecological Society/Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation), UK (July, 2003) and 4th Biennial conference of the Systematics Society (August, 2003)
• Eight Darwin students trained in aspects of bat research
• Two Darwin trainees completed their PhD theses on bats (Mr Khin Maung Swe and Mrs Mar Mar Thi)
• Field surveys were conducted in Mandalay and Shan State (April, August, and December 2003); Bago Division (August, 2003); Tanintharyi Division (November, 2003 and January, 2004)
• Three bat workshops took place in Myanmar
• Voucher specimens of three bat species new to the fauna of Myanmar were collected
• Partnerships strengthened with a range of international scientists from Canada, USA, Italy and UK
• Publications prepared on a wide range of topics relating to bat research.

Darwin trainee Ms Khin Mie Mie using a bat detector to record echolocation calls

Key outputs of Year One (1st. April, 2002 - 31st. March, 2003)

• The Harrison Institute and the University of Yangon hosted the first international bat workshop to be held in Myanmar (23rd. - 27th. October, 2002)
• Darwin Initiative funding enabled Myanmar students to travel to the U.K. in order to participate in two international conferences and to undertake training programmes
• Links between the University of Yangon and scientists in the U.K., India, Malaysia, Portugal, and Australia were forged and consolidated
• Collaborative field surveys involving students and staff of the University of Yangon together with scientists from the Harrison Institute and specialists from the IUCN/WCPA Task Force on Caves and Karst Protection were undertaken to the limestone karst areas of Mon, Kayin, Shan, and Kachin States and Mandalay Division
• Four species of bat new to Myanmar were recorded during the course of field studies
• A core group of students from the University of Yangon received training in field survey techniques
• Grant moneys enabled the latest echolocation equipment and associated computer software to be provided for use by students from the University of Yangon. Full instruction in the application and use of all systems was given by U.K. specialists
• Additional funding and sponsorship of the project was received gratefully from Air Mandalay, Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, Myanmar Airways Interantional, Road to Mandalay, Premier Oil, Sofitel Plaza Yangon, Thai Airways International, and TotalFinaElf

Bats roosting on the roof of a limestone cave

Research outcomes

These will include the following:

• A spatially explicit database (G.I.S.) of karst caves and their dependent bat species from seven study areas
• A database of the echolocation calls of karst dependent bat species
• An identification guide to Myanmar bats, including field keys
• Zoological papers published in internationally recognised journals

Training outcomes

• Twelve students from Yangon University will be trained as core members of a Myanmar Bat Research and Conservation Group with international links
• Training will include aspects of the following subjects:
  - biodiversity survey techniques
  - systematics
  - ecological studies
  - behavioural studies
  - environmental education
  - conservation biology

Conservation outcomes

• Conservation recommendations will be discussed with the Myanmar Forestry Department,
  the Wildlife Conservation Society (Myanmar), and I.U.C.N. specialist groups
• Karst sites will be recognised as possible wildlife sanctuaries
• The highest priority site may be identified as a possible karst World Heritage Site

PHOTOGRAPHIC LIBRARY

LIMESTONE KARST
TRAINING
BAT WORKSHOP
INTERNATIONAL LINKS
RESEARCH OUTCOMES