Armenian whiskered bat: Red Data Book of Armenia

Vesper bats - Vespertilionidae

Status. The first record of this species came from the north–western shoreline of the Lake Sevan. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Critically Endangered CR D. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Critically Endangered CR B1a; D.

Distribution. In 2000–2001, it was found out in the Artanish Peninsula’s grottos and near the Tsapatagh village on the Lake Sevan shoreline, Gegharkunik Province.

Distribution in Armenia. Captured and found by bat detector Pettersson–200 on the south–eastern slope of the Sevan Ridge, in an area 11 km long.

Habitats. The typical habitats are screes with grottos and rock crevices.

Biological traits. Not studied. Known to live at 2000–2300 m above sea level.

Population size and its trends. An extremely rare and poorly studied species of limited distribution. Such a limited range has never been observed before.

Major threats. Unknown.

Conservation measures. Protected in Sevan National Park. It is essential to strengthen control over habitats located within Sevan National Park and to close human access to the caves inhabited by the Armenian whiskered bat.