The Silhouette Foundation (SF) is a national registered non-governmental organization composed of multiple partners that bring together a diverse group of interests and expertise. Its aim is to promote the conservation, rehabilitation and enhancement of Silhouette, in harmony with sustainable low impact human development and eco-tourism. The SF board of trustees meet at least-twice annually, and the island’s Sheath-tailed bat is always high on the agenda.
The Sheath-tailed Bat (Coleura seychellensis) is a Seychelles endemic that remains the rarest bat species and one of the rarest mammals in the world, listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. The population is showing no signs of recovery, and currently hovers at ~65 extant individuals, split between three roosts on Mahe, and one larger, solitary roost on Silhouette. The project aimed at increasing nation-wide awareness of the Sheath-tailed Bat and its extinction risk through community outreach, education, and awareness raising activities on Silhouette and Mahe, and to enhance in-country research and conservation expertise on this species. It was seen as a capacity building project which fits with the ‘conservation of biodiversity’ GEF SPG focal area and Seychelles National Sheath-tailed Bat Species Conservation Action Plan 2013. The main project activities centered on the development and implementation of a suite of educational activities such as the ‘Save the Sheath-tailed bat Night’ community day on Silhouette, and an educational Sheath-tailed bat roadshow touring around schools and public hot spots on Mahe. Expert training was given to various conservation practitioners with the aim of enhancing their capacity to conduct scientific monitoring of the Sheath-tailed Bats. State-of-the-art acoustic and video surveillance equipment were acquired through the project to assist with the monitoring of this critically endangered species on Silhouette. ,
Over 1,000 primary and secondary school children and thousands more Seychellois residents learned about the fragility of this species. The general public became more aware of the negative impacts of their actions such as the use of pesticides near bat habitat, destruction/disturbance of bat foraging and roosting habitat, and other human related impacts recognized as being responsible for the decline in bat populations in Seychelles. The project lasted for two years, from 2014 to 2016. Additional funding is required to continue with the ongoing monitoring of the small bat population on Silhouette. Funding is also needed to cover other expenses to protect and conserve of this emblematic bat species from extinction.
The Sheath-tailed Bat (Coleura seychellensis) is a Seychelles endemic that remains the rarest bat species and one of the rarest mammals in the world, listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. The population is showing no signs of recovery, and currently hovers at ~65 extant individuals, split between three roosts on Mahe, and one larger, solitary roost on Silhouette. The project aimed at increasing nation-wide awareness of the Sheath-tailed Bat and its extinction risk through community outreach, education, and awareness raising activities on Silhouette and Mahe, and to enhance in-country research and conservation expertise on this species. It was seen as a capacity building project which fits with the ‘conservation of biodiversity’ GEF SPG focal area and Seychelles National Sheath-tailed Bat Species Conservation Action Plan 2013. The main project activities centered on the development and implementation of a suite of educational activities such as the ‘Save the Sheath-tailed bat Night’ community day on Silhouette, and an educational Sheath-tailed bat roadshow touring around schools and public hot spots on Mahe. Expert training was given to various conservation practitioners with the aim of enhancing their capacity to conduct scientific monitoring of the Sheath-tailed Bats. State-of-the-art acoustic and video surveillance equipment were acquired through the project to assist with the monitoring of this critically endangered species on Silhouette. ,
Over 1,000 primary and secondary school children and thousands more Seychellois residents learned about the fragility of this species. The general public became more aware of the negative impacts of their actions such as the use of pesticides near bat habitat, destruction/disturbance of bat foraging and roosting habitat, and other human related impacts recognized as being responsible for the decline in bat populations in Seychelles. The project lasted for two years, from 2014 to 2016. Additional funding is required to continue with the ongoing monitoring of the small bat population on Silhouette. Funding is also needed to cover other expenses to protect and conserve of this emblematic bat species from extinction.
