en fr

Sensitivity of flying fox (Megachiroptera, Pteropodidae) populations to hunting and introduced predators : an eco-demographie approach in New Caledonia.

Sensibilité des populations de roussettes ( Mégachiroptères, Pteropodidae) aux prélèvements cynégétiques et aux prédateurs introduits : une approche éco-démographique en Nouvelle Calédonie

Abstract : The destruction and degradation of natural habitats, invasive species and overexploitation are the three main threats to biodiversity to date. There is an urgent need to accurately assess the threats to declining and even threatened species, particularly those that are exploited, and to develop evidence-based management solutions.. Here we present a study on tbe population status oftwo sympatric flying fox species, Pteropus ornatus (endemie) and P. tonganus (native), and the impact of hunting and predation by the ferai catFelis catus in New Caledonia. The study offlying fox roost occupancy in the North Province shows a 33% disapearance in 40 years. The flying fox population on Grande Terre is estimated at about 735,000 individuals (ofboth species) and the annual hunting rate at 7%. Integrated stochastic modelling of this population suggests tbat current harvesting levels could lead to a decline of up to 80% in the next 30 years. Temporary hunting ban and/or protected areas appear, in addition to being combinable, to be the most acceptable and effective management options for hunters. An analysis of tbe data available worldwide shows that ali forms of cats prey on bats in all habitats and tbat this tbreat is probably largely underestimated. Finally, initial results suggest tbat flying fox predation by ferai cats in New Caledonia is ofthe same order of magnitude as hunting. This study proposes a framework for assessing the sustainability of hunting game species in an integrated adaptive management approach, taking into account other threat factors such as invasive species.