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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. | 
