The Mauritian flying fox (Pteropus niger), also known as Greater Mascarene flying fox or Mauritius fruit bat is a large megabat

Megabat

Megabats constitute the suborder Megachiroptera, family Pteropodidae of the order Chiroptera . They are also called fruit bats, old world fruit bats, or flying foxes.-Description:...

 species endemic to Mauritius

Mauritius

Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...

 and La Réunion

La Reunion

La Reunion may refer to:* La Reunion , a communal settlement near present-day Dallas, Texas*La Réunion, Lot-et-Garonne, a town in the Lot-et-Garonne department of France*Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar...

.

Description

It can reach a wingspan of 80 cm and therefore is the largest endemic mammal on Mauritius. Its fur is golden.

Ecology

They roost in large groups and are active at dusk and dawn. Their diet consists of fruit and nectar, making them important seed dispersers and pollinators.

Habitat

It occurs in the forests within the national parks of Black River Gorges, Combo and Bel Ombre. Occasionally it can be also found in fruit plantations which causes conflicts with the farmers.

Threats

The Mauritian flying fox was once widespread on the Mascarenes. On Reunion it became extinct between 1772 and 1801. Their closest extant relative occurs on Rodrigues and is very rare. On Mauritius it was severely affected by deforestation and hunting. Even in 1974, 1000 specimens where shot annually. A cyclone devastated the population which slowly recovered to an estimated 20,000 animals in 2006. Currently, the population is regarded as stable by the IUCN, however, in September 2006 the Government of Mauritius decided to initiate culling of animals which is controversially discussed as it may leave the species vulnerable to extinction.. In an effort to rescue the species, the Organization for Bat Conservation

Organization for Bat Conservation

Organization for Bat Conservation is an nonprofit organization to further Bat Conservation. It is a conservationist organization, founded by Rob Mies and Kim Williams in the late 1990s. OBC’s vision is to inspire a peaceful coexistence between bats and humans and to promote global participation...

has included the bat in an international conservation project.