Bats Conservation Plan in the Valencian Community

The main objective of this project is to ensure the survival of the present populations of chiropters in the Comunidad Valenciana (located in Eastern Spain) and minimize the negative factors that affect them, in such a way that the natural recovery of species in regresion is allowed.

In this area there is a great richness of bat species (22 species have been observed) due to its peculiar climatic conditions. Some of these species are the most endangered in Europe, and their densities in this area are important. Specially, the Long-fingered bat (Mytois capaccini), which has in the Valencian Community over half of the species individuals in Western Europe, so the protection of Valencian populations is very important.

Another very endangered species in Western Europe, the Mehelyi's horseshoe bat (Rhinolphus mehelyi), is present in this area, and its population is in an advanced process of regression. The scarce Valencian populations require urgent measures that guarantee their recovery.


To carry out this general objective, and following recovery plans already stated, these partial objectives are proposed: to ensure the conservation of the most important hides (in this way the protection of 50% of the cave-dwelling species of the Valencian population will be achieved), to increase the small breeding population of forest bats, to ensure the survival of the most threatened chiropters in the area, to complete the necessary information for improving this Conservation Plan, and to make people conscious of the ecological importance of these mammals and the necessity for their protection.