Bioclimate.org: The decline of fruit bats in American- Samoa due to hurricanes and over hunting

Authors	Craig P. , Trail P. , Morrell T.E.
Source	Biological Conservation (11)
Type	P - Paper (2851)
Peer Review	2 - Medium (2288)
Audience	S - Specialist (3514)
Pages	261-266
Notes	Abstract. Populations of the two fruit bat species in American Samoa Pteropus samoensis and P. tonganus have declined dramatically (80–90%) in the past five years due to hurricane losses and subsequent overhunting by villagers. Current estimates are that only 200–400 P. samoensis and 1500–2500 P. tonganus remain on Tutuila Island, which formerly supported the largest bat populations in the Territory. A three-year hunting ban was enacted in 1992, but modeling projections indicate that a much longer recovery period will be required.