Hello...

I am spending time in Koh Phangan. A friend of mine in the U.S. has asked that I be on the lookout for a preserved spotted winged fruit bat. He tells me that it is usually preserved in a glass case and he has found other types of bats preserved in such a manner in Bangkok. This sort of bat is more common to southern Thailand. I am wondering if anyone has any idea where one might find such a thing around here? Any ideas? Feel free to send me a PM...

Here is more information about the bat:

The Spotted-winged Fruit Bat, Balionycteris maculata is the smallestmegabat in the world. It is in the monotypic genus Balionycteris. It is found from southern Thailand, across Malaysia, and on the island ofBorneo. It lives in the forests where it roosts in small groups in trees and caves. Its name comes from the coloration of its wings, which are dark with a lighter-colored spot at each joint.

Thanks!

http://www.arkive.or...4.html#text=All

I would have thought that catching one of these and preserving it would be against the law here. Please be very careful what you do if you find one.

There are usually signs around the islands (written in Thai) stating that the taking of any wildlife, shells or coral is illegal.

Yes - we all know that the Thais do kill or capture stuff (squirrels, birds, snakes, monitor lizardse etc) however, my understanding is that it is still illegal.

It just gets worse. Hey why not embalm it in KPG sand and fly it off the island from the new airport?

Edit: Disbelief.

I am not looking to embalm anything but rather buy one already preserved, given that is what my friend has requested. Not interested in breaking the law. I had not considered the legality of this before but it is worth mentioning that similar species of bats, butterflies, insects, etc., are sold openly in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand. Then again, so are pirated CDs, sex, and tasers.

I am not looking to embalm anything but rather buy one already preserved, given that is what my friend has requested. Not interested in breaking the law. I had not considered the legality of this before but it is worth mentioning that similar species of bats, butterflies, insects, etc., are sold openly in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand. Then again, so are pirated CDs, sex, and tasers.

I hope your search proves fruitless.

I can sell you good pictures of that bat. I'm naturalistic photographer.

Sell or import/export alive or preserved specimens is against the law both in Thailand and in the USA.

Present in the IUCN list of the endangered species see here: http://www.iucnredli.../details/2538/0

PS: Why your friend need that animal?

I am not looking to embalm anything but rather buy one already preserved, given that is what my friend has requested. Not interested in breaking the law. I had not considered the legality of this before but it is worth mentioning that similar species of bats, butterflies, insects, etc., are sold openly in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand. Then again, so are pirated CDs, sex, and tasers.

This is outrageous......if you create a demand by buying one, the more the Thais will find and preserve to sell. They dont give a stuff about endangoured animals but we should as the educated Westeners. I suggest you stop posting this rubbish on this forum.........

I agree Max there not much left. Maybe you can give him some spotted Dick but I suppose that's rare down here.