Diversity and abundance of Bats using Mist Net and Harp Trap in Cajuput Forest, Bachok, Kelantan

Due to the lack of information and data on the Cajuput forest located in Bachok Kelantan, a study was conducted to obtain data on the diversity and abundance of bats in the area. Over the course of 25 days, only 2 species from a total of 11 individuals were caught. Despite maximising the capturing effort to 25 days or 350 capture nights by deploying 4 harp traps and 10 mist nets, only the Eonycte/"is spelaea and Scotophilus kuhlii were caught. All the individuals were caught in the mist nets and none in the harp trap. This is probably due to the vast open area of the Cajuput forest, which provided no proper canopy to place the harp trap. The main factor that influenced the capture was the limestone quarrying in the nearby cave. Many cave dwelling bats are not versatile in their inhabitancy making it almost impossible to adapt to other niches. More strict conservation measures related to limestone quarrying should be taken in order to save the remaining species fi'om extinction in Cajuput forest.