NEW RECORDS AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF BATS (MAMMALIA: CHIROPTERA) IN LANG SON UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK, NORTHEASTERN VIETNAM

Abstract

Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark contains extensive karst landscapes, large cave systems, and diverse vegetation types that provide highly suitable habitats for bat species. This study updated the bat species composition of the geopark through nine field surveys conducted between February 2022 and July 2025 and through a review of relevant literature. A total of 26 species belonging to 14 genera and 7 families were recorded during the surveys, including five species first recorded for the geopark. When combined with previous records, the bat fauna of the geopark currently comprises at least 41 species representing 20 genera and 8 families. Of these, 12 species are listed in the 2024 Red Data Book of Vietnam, and six species are classified as Near Threatened, Vulnerable, or Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating national and global conservation importance. In addition, the taxonomic status of nine species is updated in accordance with recent systematic revisions. These results provide a robust baseline for future research, long-term monitoring, and conservation planning, particularly for species of high conservation priority.