Münster,Germany – A rare sight has taken flight in the meranti-Halle at allwetterzoo Münster: vietnamese flying foxes are now soaring freely within the hall,marking a significant addition to one of Europe’s newest tropical greenhouses. The bats, boasting wingspans exceeding 1.2 meters, represent a seldom-seen species in zoological collections.
The introduction of these flying foxes underscores the zoo’s commitment to biodiversity and highlights the crucial role these animals play in their natural ecosystem. Flying foxes are among the largest bat species globally, feeding on fruits, flowers, nectar, and pollen. “This makes them crucial for the pollination and dispersal of plant seeds,” explains Allwetterzoo.
The group recently released in the Meranti-Halle originates from a breeding program at Zoo Leipzig, which has successfully bred the species annually. nearly all flying foxes in european collections trace their lineage back to Leipzig’s efforts. Native to Vietnam, the species is currently listed as near threatened.
visitors to the Meranti-Halle, which opened in the summer of 2023, can observe the flying foxes in their new habitat. Zoo officials note the bats are harmless to humans and are often visible amongst the trees, particularly around the tapir enclosure. The addition of the flying foxes builds on the hall’s growing population of free-living species, which already includes several bird species introduced earlier this year.
The Meranti-Halle also houses a diverse collection of larger mammals, including tapirs, giant anteaters, giant otters, red lemurs, and howler monkeys.