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A six-day hands-on training in Field
techniques for survey of Volant and
Non-Volant small mammals was conducted at
Nepal Staff Administrative College,
Kathmandu and Institute of Forestry
Pokhara, Nepal from 19-24 June
2007. The training programme was
organized by Zoo Outreach Organisation,
Coimbatore/CBSG South Asia and its networks
CCINSA and RILSCINSA hosted by Nature,
Kathmandu and Bats Friends, Pokhara,
Nepal.
The programme was organized in such a way that
the introduction and basic aspect of the small
mammal study was covered at Kathmandu, at the
State Administrative Staff College, Jawalakhal
from 19-21 June 2007, while the second part of
the programme was an intensive field training
for selected field researchers organized at
the campus of the Institute of Forestry,
Pokhara from 22-24 June 2007. At Jawalakhal 42
participants including 37 students/
researchers from Nepal, two from Bangladesh,
one each from India, Pakistan and Scotland
attended it and 16 selected participants from
the above attended the intensive training at
Pokhara.
The resource persons, Prof. Paul Racey from
Aberdeen University, Dr. Mike Jordon,
Curator of Higher vertebrates, Chester Zoo
and Dr. Sripathi Kandula from Madurai
Kamaraj University and also the Scientific
chair of CCINSA handled both class room and
field sessions. The programme was made
possible with the general financial support
of Bat Conservation International, Chester
Zoo and Knowsley Safari Park, UK.
Day 1. 19 June 2007
The programme started with a simple
inaugural which was attended by senior
teachers and heads of the Zoology Department
of Tribhuvan University. Paul and Mike
gave a detailed introduction to Volant and
Non-Volant small mammals. In the
subsequent lectures they introduced standard
techniques in inventory and monitoring
teachniques and sampling
methodologies. In the late after noon
the participants set 40 traps in the campus
for rodents and late in the evening spread
one net for batting.
Day 2. 20 June 2007
The day started with observation of rodent
traps. On the second day many shrews
were caught. Mike Jordan demonstrated
the handling methods and explained sexing
and identification. In the class room
session survey methods of Volant and
non-volant mammals were discussed.
Sripathi Kandula spoke about four different
research work that is being carried about by
the researchers at Madurai Kamaraj
university. Leaf selection and tent
construction by Cynopterus sphinx,
deposition of masticated plant materials in
the tent roosts of Cynopterus sphinx;
dispersal pattern and solitary adult males
in a polygynous mating bat, Cynopterus
sphinx are some of the topics he
covered. Paul also covered a topic on
ethics of bat trapping and marking
techniques before going for field
work. In the evening traps were
checked and 5 mist nets were set at the
Central Zoo Campus. Seven bats
belonging to two species were caught at the
zoo campus. After examining the bats
the second day of the workshop ended at 9.15
pm. (SPECIES LIST GIVEN BELOW)
Day 3. 21 June
The day started with examining rodents and
insectivores. The trapped rodents were
examined. The participants were given
a chance to handle the animal. After
examining the animals it was released back
in the wild. After tea, Dr. Ethnoecology,
smallish mammals, and Nepal. He spoke
about the practice of using bats as food and
medicine. He gave the species that are
used as food and medicine in different parts
of the world. After this a demo using
ZOO Bat packet was carried out. Later
Paul, Mike and Sripathi answered to the
questions of all participants. After
evaluation of the workshop the group set out
for Pokhara in a bus. Reached Pokhara
at 10.00 pm
Day 4. 22 June 07
The Dean of the Institute of forestry was
invited to give a brief about the training
programme. After setting the traps for
rodents and insectivores at the campus, the
group went to World Peace Cave which is
about 20km drive from the campus and 15
minutes walk. Four species of Bat were
caught. After examining them the group
reached the campus and continued with the
rodent examination. Later in the
evening 4 mist nets were set to trap
bats. The caught bats were examined
and identified.
Day 5 23 June 07
The day stared with observation of traps for
rodents and insectivores. The caught
rodents were examined. After tea the
group left for Pandit Chowk to observe
Indian Flying fox's roost. After lunch the
group went out to Birendra Cave which is
about an hour drive plus 5 minute walk. The
cave is situated in front of Putli
Cave. Two bat species were caught and
examined. After returning to the
campus traps were examined and fresh baits
were placed and netted for bats and
examined.
Day 6. 24 June 2007
Follow up of Rodents – a total of 26 bats
belonging to 5 species were caught and
examined.
The day started with Rodent trap observation
and examined. In the class room
session follow up Bats, rodents and
insectivores was conducted by Paul and
Mike. Paul summarized the workshop
events. He listed the species caught
and examined:
During the workshop the following 5 species
of bats were caught and examined
Hipposiderous armiger
Rhinolophus affinis
Miniopterus
sp.
Pipistrellus coromandara
Rousettus egypeti
Apart from this the roosts of Pteropus
giganteus was examined and counting
techniques were tried.
Follow up Rodents and insectivores -
A total of 30 rodents were trapped and
examined.
Four species of rodents were trapped and
examined during the workshop
Suncus murinus --
most of them weighed 50 gms. In
global it is 30-150 gms. A study was
suggested to know why they weigh around 50
gms.
Bandicuta bengalensis
learned to do identification. Three
in Kathmandu but not in Pokhara. It
weighed 320 gms.
Mus cookie
– 2 specimens of females were
examined.
Rattus rattus (tanezumi).
Rattus rattus is normally referred to
oceanic species.
Rattus tanezumi
is for this region
We looked in to marking methods, simple fur
clipping, ear tags and a variety of simple
handling equipments.
The workshop ended with the simple
valedictory.
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