Bangladesh supports 31 species of bats including three species of fruit bats. The flying fox is still a common and widely distributed species among the fruit bats whereas the Indian Pipistrelle is the commonest among the smaller insectivorous bats. The largest of the insect bats is the False Vampire that is also quite common and widely distributed in the country. Most bat population are declining because of habitat destruction. An estimated 80 per cent of known roosts of the flying fox have been lost during the past three decades. Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation Act does not protect the bats.

Many mammal species have been exterminated in Bangladesh; many more are threatened. The author visited all the forested areas, where 80 per cent of the surviving mammals are to be found, for this survey. His report supplements and enforces the primate survey report of S.P. Gittins and A.W. Akonda in the February 1982 Oryx.

On the basis of a six-day survey of southeastern Bangladesh Occidozyga lima appeared to be a common species in the Teknaf Peninsula. The most common amphibians of the region are the Cricket Frog Limnonectes limnocharis, Skipping Frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, Ornate Narrow-mouthed Frog Microhyla ornata, Indian Bull Frog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus and Common Toad Bufo melanostictus. Two species of tree frogs Polypedates leucomystax and Polypedates maculatus are also common.

No abstract

Biodiversity in tropical and subtropical forests are at high risk of decline due to rapid anthropogenic development. Planned activities that potentially benefit communities near forests are often undertaken at the expense of forest biodiversity. Recently, the Government of Bangladesh released plans to develop a safari park in Lathitila forest in northeastern Bangladesh. This mixed evergreen, stream-fed, trans-border forest harbors 26 globally threatened species. The proposed plan aims to bring several exotic game animals such as the lion (Panthera leo), spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) and cheetah (Acionyx jubatus) to be maintained in captivity. Additionally, exotic bird aviaries, gardens, a dolphinarium, a marine aquarium exhibit, and a carp pond have been proposed for construction. Here, we (i) summarize some of the key attributes of safari parks and the misconceptions associated with them; (ii) highlight some of the planned development activities of the proposed safari park; (ii) list the threatened species found in the area, and (iii) explain why establishing a park in the area would be detrimental the region’s biodiversity. We urge the government to abandon the plans to develop a safari park and suggest that the area be brought under formal protection for the benefit of biodiversity conservation.