Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, a highly rare species, spotted in Delhi’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park

Wroughton’s free-tailed bat is ecologically important for regulating insect populations and is also known to assist in pollination.

3 min readNew DelhiDec 17, 2024 02:49 PM IST

This bat species is primarily found in the Western Ghats, where there is only one known breeding colony. (Photo: Mohan Singh, officer at the DDA Yamuna Biodiversity Park)

Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, a highly rare species of molossus bat, has been spotted at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA)’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park, marking a unique sighting.

This bat species is primarily found in the Western Ghats, where there is only one known breeding colony. Small colonies have also been recorded in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, and a single individual was noted in Cambodia.

“It is a unique sighting for Delhi, which we found during the routine visit to the corridor of the Yamuna Biodiversity Park,” said Faiyaz A Khudsar, biodiversity expert and incharge scientist under the Biodiversity Parks Programme.

A statement by the DDA Biodiversity Park states that the species is easily recognisable to bat researchers. It is characterised by its large size, huge ears extending beyond the muzzle, and bicoloured velvet fur. The statement added that it typically roosts in caves or dark, damp, and slightly warm places in moderate colonies.

Wroughton’s free-tailed bat is ecologically important for regulating insect populations and is also known to assist in pollination. (Photo: Mohan Singh, officer at the DDA Yamuna Biodiversity Park)

Wroughton’s free-tailed bat is ecologically important for regulating insect populations and is also known to assist in pollination. Until 2000, the species was considered critically endangered because of a single known population in the Western Ghats. Later, with discoveries in three different localities, the bat species was placed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as data deficient.

According to Khudsar, despite its discovery a century ago, very little is known about the bat’s feeding ecology. The bat species has powerful flying capabilities, allowing it to forage long distances.

The sighting is significant for Delhi because it is known to be home to around 14 species, four of which have been considered locally extinct: the Indian false vampire, the black-bearded tomb bat, the Egyptian free-tailed bat, and the Indian pipistrelle.

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According to the statement, “two decades of ecological restoration” have contributed to the establishment of “very specialized niches”. It also noted that the restored forest of the Aravali Biodiversity Park, managed by the DDA, has become the only known roosting site for the Blyth’s horseshoe bat in Delhi.

“…This is a testimony of a long scientific interventions facilitates rewilding of many species reclaiming their historical geographical ranges,” the statement added.

Sophiya Mathew

Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Professional Background Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education. Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses: 1. The Air Pollution Crisis "A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure. "Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR. "Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter. 2. Enforcement & Regulations "No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy. 3. Education Policy "Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. "Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation. Signature Style Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws. X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read More

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