Bat Next Door

摘要

Lying off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is home to more than 40 species of bat, most of which are endemic (including Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat, pictured). As their natural rainforest home is cleared for rice paddies, these winged mammals arefinding themselves living in increased proximity to humans -who often view them as a bad omen, an expendable nuisance or an easy meal. Yet bats are incredibly valuable to local livelihoods. As voracious insect-feeders, some offer a free pest-control service to farmers, while their nutrient-rich guano is an effective agricultural fertiliser.