C-C: 7.0, M^1-M^1: 10.5, C-M^1: 11.9
Identification of these small Epomophorus bats in Kasanka is a bit tricky: they clearly belong to the crypturus/labiatus/minimus group based on the pattern of the palatal ridges. Morphometrically, they agree with what Bergmans & van Strien (2004) identified as "E. cf. labiatus" from Malawi, and are smaller than E. crypturus, E. angolensis, and E. anselli.
However, these small Epomophorus would also agree in measurements with what was previously called E. minor, and what is now generally accepted as E. minimus. The latter species is currently assumed to range from Ethiopia to East Africa, with no records near Kasanka NP. Based on distribution, Kasanka specimens are tentatively referred to E. labiatus.
Bergmans, W., Van Strien, N., 2004. Systematic notes on a collection of bats from Malawi. I. Megachiroptera: Epomophorinae and Rousettinae (Mammalia, Chiroptera). Acta Chiropterologica 6(2) 249-268.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3161/001.006.0205
The Telfair's skink is an endangered species, they only survived on Round Island and were reintroduced on IaA after the island got cleared from all invasice specied. Unfortunatelly the indian musk shrew (Suncus murinus) recolonised the island. Since it predates on juvenile skinks, only adults were observed on IaA.
The tortoises were observed between February and August 2012. Hatchlings are frequently found all over the island. While the males have high, pyramidial plades, the carapas of the smalles females is often very smoth and round. The last picture shows 3 females during the breeding season digging in the ground.
The Tortoise was introduced to Mauritius by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, since humans erradicated both native species of mauritian giant tortoises (Cylindraspis inepta and C. triserrata). The Seychelles giant tortoise was the only surviving giant tortoise species from the indian ocean and is therefore used as a taxon substitute on many other islands to enhance seed dispersal.
The Günther's geckos are quite rare and hard to find. They were reintroduced only recently.
The observations took place between february and august 2012
Numerous geckos live in this small offshore island. The animals were abserved between February and August 2012. They are often found feedin on flowers of Hilsenbergia petiolaris and other flowering plants. Since the endangered birds get fed with fruits and nectar, this is also a rich source of food for the reptiles
Five male flying foxes were kept in a enclosure on Ile aux Aigrettes (IaA), a 26 ha island in the harbour of Mahebourg. They were all orphaned, after the mothers got killed in plantations.
The bats were visited by wild bats, that would feed in the ficus rubra trees on IaA. The island warden reportet observations of wild females mating with the captive males.
There is a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McsPSSSZDNI
The fish were by the shore of the Albion lighthouse, a climbing and fishing place in Mauritius.
Male, named Gondwana (observed 20. Aug) and Congo (9.Aug).
The male on the fourth picture is molting into the red colour mating plumage (12. Mai and 6. Mai, close view of same male).
The birds were observed between the 21. February and 20 August 2012.
The golden eagle was feeding on a sheep that fell from the montain ridge in france. The sheep was trapped on a ledge with a broken legg, but survived there for a bout 1 month. Nobody was willing to save it and it finally died in a heavy snow event.
We observed the eagle feeding on it for 2 days. Thereafter nothing but a few flocks of wool were left
The pair was observed while feeding the chicks in a volcanic rock. No pictures of the female are available.
Nest of the mauritian fody
Phelsuma guentheri sitting on it's favorit "Gastonia" tree