Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Ara Monadjem David Jacobs Lientjie Cohen Kate MacEwan Leigh Rosanne Richards Corrie Schoeman Theresa Sethusa Peter Taylor
Contributors: Claire Relton Domitilla Raimondo Matthew Child
Reviewers: Ara Monadjem David Jacobs Lientjie Cohen Kate MacEwan Leigh Rosanne Richards Corrie Shoeman Theresa Sethusa Peter Taylor

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution (estimated extent of occurrence within the assessment region is 246,518 km²), presumed large population, and because there are no major identified threats that could cause widespread population decline. It occurs in many protected areas across its range and appears to have a degree of tolerance for human modified habitats. Savannah woodlands are generally well protected in the assessment region. However, more research is needed into the roosting behaviour of this species to identify key roost sites and monitor subpopulation trends.

Regional population effects: Its range is continuous with Zimbabwe and Mozambique through transfrontier parks, and thus dispersal is assumed to be occurring. However, it has relatively low wing loading (Norberg & Rayner 1987; Schoeman & Jacobs 2008), so significant rescue effects are uncertain.

Distribution

This species is widespread in East and southern Africa. The eastern distribution ranges from Ethiopia and South Sudan to Uganda and Kenya (Happold et al. 2013). The southern range extends from Zambia and the southern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to eastern South Africa, and from eastern Angola to central Zambia, Zimbabwe, northern Botswana and northeastern Namibia (Monadjem et al. 2010). In southern Africa, it is recorded from scattered, and sometimes seemingly isolated, localities in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa (Happold et al. 2013). In the assessment region, the species is recorded from Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa, as well as in Swaziland. The type specimen is from Umfolozi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal (Monadjem et al. 2010). Estimated extent of occurrence within the assessment region is 246,518 km².

Population trend

Trend

Species abundance is uncertain (Happold et al. 2013), but in general this is an uncommon species (ACR 2015). It is, however, well represented in museums with over 160 individuals assessed in Monadjem et al. (2010). It is not as common as P. capensis in southern Africa (Taylor 2000).

Threats

There appears to be no major threats to this species as a whole (ACR 2015). However, climate change has been identified as an increasing global threat to other bat species (Sherwin et al. 2013), and may similarly impact N. zuluensis. More research is needed to determine this. Disturbance to key roost sites has also been recognised as a common threat to other bat species in the assessment region; but further information into the roosting behaviour of N. zuluensis is required in order to understand whether disturbance is a serious threat.

Uses and trade

There is no evidence to suggest that this species is traded or harvested within the assessment region.

Conservation

In the assessment region, the species is recorded from many protected areas, including Kruger National Park, Baobab Tree Reserve, Mapungubwe National Park, Blouberg Nature Reserve, Percy Fyfe Nature Reserve, Borakalalo National Park, Pilanesberg National Park and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. It seems probable that this adaptable species is present within a number of additional protected areas. No direct conservation measures are currently needed for the species as a whole, but research into its habitats and ecology is recommended.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • Reduce pesticide use in agricultural landscapes.
Research priorities:
  • Identifying roost site selection and basic ecology.
  • Determining population size, trends and potential threats.
Encouraged citizen actions:
  • Citizens can assist the conservation of the species by reporting sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP), especially outside protected areas.

References 

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,]
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