Country Data

Nepal

By Paul Carter; first posted 22 Aug 2024.
Separate “site reports” with more detailed information and images have yet to be posted.

SUMMARY
On trips to Nepal in 2022 (alone) and 2023 (with Chi Phan) I saw 51 mammal species; these were mostly in Chitwan NP, Bardia NP, Langtang NP and around Pokhara. Small mammal highlights were White-bellied Giant Flying Squirrel, Grey-headed Giant Flying Squirrel, Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel, Altai Mountain Weasel and Yellow-bellied Weasel. Larger mammals included Tiger, Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros, Himalayan Tahr and Himalayan Goral. In 2022 I also spent some time in Kathmandu with Stuart Chapman; thanks to him for sharing his knowledge on the region.

Contents
A. Trip and Site Reports
B. Mammal Species Seen
C. Reptile Species Seen
D. Logistics
E. References

A)  TRIPS AND SITE REPORTS
I visited Nepal alone in 2022 (Sep 29 – Oct 26) and with Chi Phan in 2023 (Oct 19 – Nov 11). Sites visited for mammals included the following, with links to site reports indicated (once posted):

  1. Kathmandu (2022 and 2023): Monkey Temple and Thamel. Site report here.
  2. Chitwan NP and Saura (2022 and 2023): Chitwan Community Forest, NP (across the river from Sauraha), Tiger Tower and Baghmara Tower.
  3. Pokhara (2022 and 2023): Chamere Gufa Bat Cave, Fish Tail Lodge, World Peace Pagoda area.
  4. Bardia NP (2022).
  5. Langtang NP (2022): Dhunche, New Village, Deurali, Dhimsa, Sing Gompa, Cholang Pati, Lauribina, Gosaikunda.

A)  MAMMALS SPECIES SEEN
The page numbers below refer to species accounts in Lynx (2020) but some binomials and common names in the list below have been revised/updated.

  1. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus). p013.1. @ Bardia NP + Chitwan NP.
  2. Assam Macaque (Macaca assamensis). p017.2. @ Langtang NP.
  3. Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta). p018.3. @ Kathmandu + Chitwan NP + Bardia NP + Pokhara.
  4. Terai Sacred Langur (Semnopithecus hector). p019.2. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  5. Nepal Sacred Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus). p019.3. @ Langtang NP.
  6. Large-eared Pika (Ochotona macrotis) p024.4. @ Langtang NP.
  7. Royle’s Pika (Ochotona roylii). p025.1. @ Langtang NP. Q-ID.
  8. Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis). p026.2. @ Bardia NP.
  9. Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mouse (Vandeleuria oleraceous). p038.1. @ Chitwan NP + Langtang NP.
  10. Indochinese Forest Rat (Rattus andamanensis). p048.3. @ Langtang NP. Q-ID.
  11. Sikkim Mountain Vole (Neodon sikimensis). p053.2. @ Langtang NP.
  12. Malayan Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura). p055.2. @ Pokhara.
  13. Northern Palm Squirrel (Funambulus pennantii), p057.1. @ Kathmandu + Chitwan NP.
  14. Orange-bellied Squirrel (Dremomys lokriah). p059.2. @ Langtang NP.
  15. Irrawaddy Squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus). p060.1. @ Pokhara.
  16. Particoloured Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger). p060.4. @ Langtang NP + Chitwan NP buffer zone.
  17. White-bellied Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista albiventer). p061.3. @ Pokhara.
  18. Grey-headed Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista caniceps). p062.2. @ Langtang NP.
  19. Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista magnificus). p062.3. @ Langtang NP.
  20. Hodgson’s Brown-toothed Shrew (Episoriculus caudatus). p070.1. @ Langtang NP. Q-ID vs E. soluensis.
  21. Asian House Shrew (Suncus murinus). p072.3. @ Kathmandu + Pokhara area.
  22. Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx), p078.3. @ Kathmandu + Sauraha.
  23. Indian Flying-fox (Pteropus medius). p081.4. @ Kathmandu + Pokhara.
  24. Great Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros armiger). p084.3. @ Pokhara.
  25. Japanese Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus nippon). p089.2. Split from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (see ssp nippon). @ Pokhara. Q-ID.
  26. Big-eared Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus macrotis). p089.3. @ Pokhara.
  27. Intermediate Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus affinis). p091.1. @ Pokhara.
  28. Javan Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus javanicus). p100.2. @ Pokhara, provisional ID.
  29. Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat (Scotophilus kuhlii). p107.2. @ Chitwan NP area.
  30. Greater Asiatic Yellow Bat (Scotophilus heathii). p107.3. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  31. Myotis sp: Nepalese Whiskered Myotis (Myotis muricola). p113.2. vs Himalayan Whiskered Myotis (Myotis siligorensis) not in range (p115.1). @ Pokhara.
  32. Eurasian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa). p128.3. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP + Langtang NP.
  33. Northern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis). p131.3. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP + Langtang NP.
  34. Chital Deer (Axis axis). p131.4. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  35. Hog Deer (Axis porcinus). p132.1. @ Chitwan Community Forest.
  36. Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor). p132.2. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  37. Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), p138.4. @ Langtang NP.
  38. Himalayan Goral (Naemorhedus goral). p142.3. @ Langtang NP.
  39. Maned Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis), p143.3. @ Langtang NP.
  40. Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). p144.3. @ Chitwan NP + Chitwan Community Forest.
  41. Tiger (Panthera tigris). p146.3. @ Bardia NP.
  42. Leopard (Panthera pardus). p147.1. @ Bardia NP.
  43. Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha). p151.3. @ Chitwan NP area.
  44. Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata). p152.2. @ Pokhara.
  45. Northern Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). p152.3. @ Bardia NP.
  46. Small Indian Mongoose (Urva auropunctata). p153.2. @ Kathmandu.
  47. Indian Grey Mongoose (Urva edwardsii). p153.3. @ Chitwan NP.
  48. Golden Jackal (Canis aureus). p155.2. @ Pokhara area.
  49. Altai Mountain Weasel (Mustela altaica). p163.1. @ Langtang NP.
  50. Yellow-bellied Weasel (Mustela kathiah). p163.3. @ Langtang NP.
  51. Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula). p160.4. @ Langtang NP.

B)  REPTILE SPECIES SEEN
Reptiles seen whilst focused on mammals include the following:

  1. Ganges Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica). @ Chitwan NP area.
  2. Common Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis tristis). @ Bardia NP.
  3. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). @ Chitwan NP + Chitwan Community Forest.
  4. Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  5. Cloud-forest Japalure (Japalura tricarinata). @ Langtang NP.
  6. Kashmir Rock Agama (Laudakia tuberculata). @ Langtang NP.
  7. Keeled Indian Mabuya (Eutropis carinata). @ Bardia NP.
  8. Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor). @ Sauraha + Bardia NP + Pokhara.
  9. Asian House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus). @ Sauraha Town.
  10. Northern House Gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis). @ Bardia NP area. Tentative ID.
  11. Spotted House Gecko (Hemidactylus parvimaculatus). @ Chitwan NP buffer zone.

D)   LOGISTICS (2022-2023)

Time Zone: Kathmandu, Nepal ‎(UTC+5:45)‎ vs Thailand (UTC +7:00).
Currency: Over 2022-2023 the exchange rate range was 129-133 NPR/US$. During my trips it was:
(1) 2022 Sep 29 – Oct 26:  US$ = 131 NPR approx.
(2) 2023 Oct 19 – Nov 11:  US$ + 133 NPR approx.
Power:  230V 50 Hz.
Wall Sockets: Type C (Euro type – round, recessed, two-pin), D and M sockets. Most websites neglect to mention that Type G is also used in some places.
Weather: Monsoon season is around June to September. The Weather-and-climate app states “The periods from October to November (autumn) and mid-February to May (spring) are often regarded as the best time to visit Nepal. After the monsoon, the skies clear up, causing pleasant temperatures and spectacular views. In March and April, southern Nepal generally enjoys spring-like to summer conditions, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 30 degrees Celsius (71.6 – 86 degrees Fahrenheit). This period is characterized by minimal rainfall and high amounts of sunshine”.
UK government Foreign Travel Advice for Nepal: link.

Travel tips for Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA): 2023
Visa On Arrival: The process is quicker if you do an online application before flying. Depending on your nationality you can submit an online application for a visa on arrival within the 15 days before your arrival (and not before then). On arrival you then submit a paper copy of this application. Obtaining a visa on arrival without an online application can be done but it takes longer to get the visa. You can submit a visa application at nepaliport (the immigration website) here. You pay at the visa on arrival counter but the visa is only placed in your passport at the immigration counters.
Carry-on luggage X-ray: After immigration all passengers put their carry-on luggage through an X-ray machine before collecting check-in baggage.
Airport Wifi: There is free airport wifi after arrival.
Cash: There is a foreign currency exchange booth after customs and there is an ATM further down the passage before the elevator and next to the taxi booking counter.
SIM Card: I bought an Ncell sim card (2022). There are Ncell booths near the currency exchange counter and near the ATM. My Ncell card still worked after one year away and I just had to top it up (done at the airport). Nepal Telecom is the other operator.
Taxi on Arrival: A taxi can be booked at the booth before the elevator and exit of the arrivals hall.
Airport website: https://tiairport.com.np/airport-facilities.

Taxi and Ride-Share Apps (2022-2023)
Pathao: I used this in Kathmandu. In was not an option in Pokhara.
InDrive: I used this app in 2023 in both Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Trekking and Restrictions
I bought trekking permits and national park permits (for Langtang NP) in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office on Pradarshani Marg east of Thamel. Note that “Trekkers should trek only in the specified or designated route as per the Trekking Permit. They are not allowed to change route”. The UK government (2023) noted that, as of 1 April 2023, “Nepal requires all solo trekkers to use a local guide or porter when trekking in Nepal’s national parks”. Other useful links were the Immigration department’s link on trekking permits and Third Rock Adventures (2023 Oct) had a good summary of the requirements and costs here. 

E.  REFERENCES

  • Acharya PR, Adhikari H, Dahal S, Thapa A, Thapa S (2010). Bats of Nepal: A field guide. Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation (SMCRF).
  • Lynx (2020a) / Lynx Edicions (2020 June). Lynx Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of South Asia. Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Menon V (2014). Indian Mammals. A Field Guide. Hachette Book Publishing, India.
  • Thapa S, Dahal DR, Ghimire R, Baral R, Yadav B, Lamichhane BR et al (2021 Sep). Occurrence of bats in protected areas of Nepal: An update on species richness and distribution records. Nepalese Journal of Zoology 5(2):68–85. https://doi.org/10.3126/njz.v5i2.42035
  • UK Government (2023). Foreign Travel Advice – Nepal. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal

Bolivia

Paul Carter. Contact: paulcarter@pacapix.com
Page revised 29 Nov 2024. Additions/revisions to the mammal list are expected.

Summary
In Bolivia during May-June 2023 I saw +57 mammal species (as listed below) and 14 reptile species. Larger mammals included Chacoan Peccary, Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot, Tayra and Madidi Titi Monkey. Small mammal highlights include Foster’s Punare, Vargas Llosa’s Bristly Mouse and a roost of Lesser Bulldog Bat. In southern Bolivia I was with Stuart Chapman and we used tour operator Nick’s Adventures for the main sites which included Jaguarland (a private ranch) and Kaa-Iya NP. In northern Bolivia I flew into Rurrenabaque and visited Sadiri Lodge and Las Tortugas Lodge.

Contents
A) Trip details and site reports
B)  Mammal list
C) Reptile list
D) Logistics
E) References

A.  TRIP DETAILS AND SITE REPORTS

Trip 1 – SOUTHERN BOLIVIA (2023 May 17-31):
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Jaguarland and Kaa-Iya NP in the Santa Cruz Department; I was with Stuart Chapman on a private tour guided by Mauricio Peñaranda del Carpio and Nick McPhee (Nick’s Adventures). Site reports:
a) Santa Cruz de la Sierra: 2 nights (17-19 May 2023).
b) Santa Cruz de la Sierra Botanical Garden (SCBG): 4 hours (18 May 2023). Site REPORT.
c) Jaguarland (Santa Cruz Dep.): 5 nights (19-24 May 2023). Site REPORT.
d) Curiche La Madre Forest (Santa Cruz): 3 hours (24 May 2023).
e) Kaa-Iya NP (Santa Cruz Dep.): 5 nights (26-31 May 2023). Site REPORT.

Trip 2 – NORTHERN BOLIVIA (2023 June 2-14):
From La Paz I flew to Rurrenabaque and visited Sadiri Lodge and Las Tortugas Lodge. Site reports:
a) Sadiri Lodge, Madidi NP (La Paz Dep.): 4 nights (2-6 June 2023). Site REPORT.
b) Las Tortugas Lodge area, Yacuma River (Beni Dep): 2 nights (8-10 June). Site REPORT.
c) Rurrenabaque (6-8 + 9-14 June).

B.  MAMMAL LIST
This list includes bat audio records that were made using an “Echo Meter Touch 2 Pro” ultrasonic module and the Echo Meter app on the Neotropics regional setting noting that taxonomy in the app is not up to date and that audio records may not be definitive. I only show audio records where there was a sighting and the size, behaviour and habitat fit the audio ID. Refer to site reports for images.

  1. Gray Four-eyed Opossum (Philander opossum). Yacuma River.
  2. Western Amazonian Mouse Opossum (Marmosa macrotarsus). Sadiri.
  3. Chacoan Gracile Opossum (Cryptonanus chacoensis). Kaa-Iya.
  4. Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Jaguarland.
  5. Six-banded Armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus). Jaguarland.
  6. Southern Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus). Kaa-Iya.
  7. Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla). Jaguarland.
  8. Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus). Curiche + Jaguarland.
  9. Proboscis Bat (Rhynchonycteris naso). Yacuma River
  10. Thomas’s Sac-winged Bat (Balantiopteryx io). Jaguarland (AUDIO).
  11. Greater Sac-winged Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata). Jaguarland.
  12. Pallas’s Mastiff Bat (Molossus molossus). Santa Cruz (AUDIO)
  13. Silver-tipped Myotis (Myotis albescens). Jaguarland. TENTATIVE ID.
  14. Riparian Myotis (Myotis riparius). Jaguarland (AUDIO). TENTATIVE ID.
  15. Southern Hairy-legged Myotis (Myotis keaysi). Sadiri (AUDIO).
  16. Argentine Serotine (Eptesicus furinalis). Sadiri (AUDIO).
  17. Southern Red Bat (Lasiurus blossevillii). Jaguarland.
  18. Great Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus lituratus). Jaguarland + Sadiri.
  19. Lesser Bulldog Bat (Noctilio albiventris). Jaguarland.
  20. Greater Bulldog Bat (Noctilio leporinus). Jaguarland.
  21. Jaguar (Panthera onca). Jaguarland + Kaa-Iya.
  22. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Jaguarland.
  23. Puma (Puma concolor). Kaa-Iya.
  24. Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi). Jaguarland + Kaa-Iya.
  25. Pampas Fox (Lycalopex gymnocerca). Yacuma River.
  26. Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous). Jaguarland + Kaa-Iya.
  27. Tayra (Eira barbara). Jaguarland.
  28. South American Coati (Nasua nasua). Jaguarland.
  29. Kinkajou (Potos flavus). Sadiri.
  30. Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris). Jaguarland + Kaa-Iya.
  31. Chacoan Peccary (Catagonus wagneri). Kaa-Iya.
  32. Collared Peccary (Dicotyles tajacu). Jaguarland.
  33. Bolivian River Dolphin (Inia boliviensis). Jaguarland + Yacuma River.
  34. Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus). Jaguarland.
  35. Common Red Brocket (Mazama americana). Jaguarland + Kaa-Iya + Sadiri.
  36. Common Brown Brocket (Mazama gouazoubira). Jaguarland + Kaa-Iya.
  37. Common Tapeti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis). SCBG + Kaa-Iya.
  38. Simon’s Spiny Rat (Proechimys simonsi). Sadiri.
  39. Mamore Arboreal Rice Rat (Oecomys mamorae). Sadiri. ID-Q
  40. White-bellied Arboreal Rice Rat (Oecomys bicolor). Yacuma River.
  41. Vargas Llosa’s Bristly Mouse (Neacomys vargasllosai). Sadiri.
  42. Bolivian Squirrel (Hadrosciurus ignitus (Sciurus ignitus). SCBG + Sadiri.
  43. Southern Amazon Red Squirrel (Hadrosciurus spadiceus / Sciurus spadiceus). SCBG + Sadiri area.
  44. Greater Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Jaguarland + Sadiri + Yacuma River.
  45. Brown Agouti (Dasyprocta variegata). Jaguarland + Kaa-Iya + Sadiri.
  46. Lowland Paca (Cuniculus paca). Sadiri.
  47. Foster’s Punare (Thrichomys fosteri). Kaa-Iya. Nascimento et al (2013) show the Punare in Bolivia as T. fosteri; iNat (2023) treats it as “Thrichomys pachyurus”.
  48. Madidi Titi Monkey (Plecturocebus aureipalatii). Sadiri area + Rurrenabaque area.
  49. White-eared Titi Monkey (Plecturocebus donacophilus). Curiche.
  50. Pale Titi Monkey (Plecturocebus pallescens). Kaa-Iya.
  51. Bolivian Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta sara). Jaguarland + Yacuma River.
  52. Black-and-gold Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya): Yacuma River.
  53. Black Spider Monkey (Ateles chamek). Jaguarland.
  54. Azara’s Night Monkey (Aotus azarae). Jaguarland + Kaa-Iya + Sadiri + Yacuma River.
  55. Black-tailed Marmoset (Mico melanurus). SCBG + Kaa-Iya.
  56. Tufted Capuchin (Sapajus apella). Jaguarland + Sadiri + Yacuma River.
  57. Black-capped Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis). Jaguarland + Yacuma River.

C.  REPTILE LIST
Reptiles seen whilst looking for mammals include the following:

  1. Neotropical Rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus). Kaa-Iya NP area.
  2. Common Lancehead (Bothrops atrox). Rurrenabaque.
  3. Black-necked Amazonian Coralsnake (Micrurus obscurus). Sadiri Lodge.
  4. Royal Ground Snake (Erythrolamprus reginae). Jaguarland.
  5. Yellow-bellied Liophis (Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus). Yacuma River.
  6. South American Sipo (Chironius multiventris). Yacuma River.
  7. Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger). Yacuma River.
  8. Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare), AKA Southern Spectacled Caiman. Yacuma River.
  9. Gold Tegu (Tupinambis teguixin). Yacuma River.
  10. Black Lava Lizard (Tropidurid melanopleurus). Madidi NP + Rurrenabaque.
  11. Southern Turniptail Gecko (Thecadactylus solimoensis). Sadiri Lodge.
  12. Chaco Robust Gecko (Phyllopezus przewalskii). Kaa-Iya NP area.
  13. Yellow-headed Sideneck Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), AKA yellow-spotted river turtle. Yacuma River.
  14. Geoffroy’s Side-necked Turtle (Phrynops geoffroanus). Yacuma River.

D.  LOGISTICS
We purchased Tigo SIM cards in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
For foreign travel advice to Bolivia refer to www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bolivia.
In 2022-2024 there were various protests in Santa Cruz de la Sierra that disrupted traffic.

E. REFERENCES

  • D’Elía G, Myers P (2014). On Paraguayan Thrichomys (Hystricognathi: Echimyidae): the distinctiveness of Thrichomys fosteri Thomas, 1903. Therya 5(1):156-166.
  • Emmons L (1997). Neotropical rainforest mammals: a field guide (Second edition). Text by LH Emmons, Illustrations by F Feer. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. ISBN 0-226-20721-8 (paperback).
  • Lynx Edicions (2020 Feb / 2020c). Lynx Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of the Southern Cone: Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
  • MDD-1/10:  Mammal Diversity Database (2022 Dec 3). Mammal Diversity Database (Version 1.10) [Data set]. Zenodo. Published 3 Dec 2022.
  • MDD-1/12: Mammal Diversity Database (2024 Jan 5). Mammal Diversity Database (Version 1.12) [Data set]. Zenodo. Published 2024 Jan 5.
  • Nascimento FF, Lazar A, Menezes AN, Durans AdM, Moreira JC, et al. (2013). The Role of Historical Barriers in the Diversification Processes in Open Vegetation Formations during the Miocene/Pliocene Using an Ancient Rodent Lineage as a Model. PLoS ONE 8(4):e61924.
  • Nick’s Adventures (2023). Kaa-Iya National Park. Webpage viewed 2023: https://www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com/tours/tours-by-destination/kaa-iya-national-park/
  • Patton JL, Pardinas UFJ, D’Elia G (eds.) (2015). Mammals of South America, Volume 2: Rodents. University of Chicago Press.
  • Teta P, Reyes-Amaya N (2021 Oct 15). Uncovering species boundaries through qualitative and quantitative morphology in the genus Dasyprocta (Rodentia, Caviomorpha), with emphasis in D. punctata and D. variegata. Journal of Mammalogy 102(6):1548–1563.

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Vietnam

Summary: On four trips to Vietnam (2012 and 2024) I saw 35 species of mammals as listed in Section A below. Highlights were Ha Long Leaf-nosed Bat (endemic), Small-toothed Ferret-badger, Grey-shanked Douc and Southern Pygmy Loris.

Paul Carter: paulcarter@pacapix.com. Page Status: this page updated 15 Dec 2024.

Contents
a) Mammal list
b) Reptile list
c) List of trips to Vietnam
d) Reports
e) Logistics

A. MAMMAL LIST
Order: bats, carnivores, ungulates, lagomorphs, rodents, treeshrews, colugos, primates

  1. Lesser Short-nosed Fruitbat (Cynopterus brachyotis). TENTATIVE ID.
  2. Geoffroy’s Rousette (Rousettus amplexicaudatus). At Ba Be NP.
  3. Ha Long Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros alongensis). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  4. Andersen’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros gentilis). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  5. Stoliczka’s Asian Trident Bat (Aselliscus stoliczkanus). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  6. Pearson’s Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus pearsonii). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  7. Black-bearded Tomb Bat (Taphozous melanopogon). At Perfume Pagoda; Marble Mountain.
  8. Murina sp. At Cuc Phuong NP.
  9. Southern Palm Civet (Paradoxurus musanga). At Cat Tien NP.
  10. Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula). At Cat Tien NP.
  11. Small-toothed Ferret-badger (Melogale moschata). At Bach Ma NP.
  12. Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor).
  13. Burmese Hare (Lepus peguensis). At Cat Tien NP
  14. Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor). At Cuc Phuong NP. Bach Ma NP.
  15. Pallas’s Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus).
  16. Perny’s Long-nosed Squirrel (Dremomys pernyi). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  17. Chinese Red-cheeked Squirrel (Dremomys ornatus). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  18. Eastern Striped Squirrel (Tamiops maritimus). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  19. Cambodian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii). At Cat Tien NP.
  20. Indochinese Ground Squirrel (Menetes berdmorei). At Cat Tien NP.
  21. Mekong White-bellied Rat (Niviventer mekongis). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  22. Little Indochinese Field Rat (Rattus sakeratensis). At Ba Be NP.
  23. Indochinese Shrewlike Mouse (Mus pahari). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  24. Northern Treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri). At Cat Tien NP; Cuc Phuong NP.
  25. Northern Smooth-tailed Treeshrew (Dendrogale murina). At Cat Tien NP.
  26. Southern Pygmy Loris (Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus). At Cat Tien NP.
  27. Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis).
  28. Northern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca leonina). At Cat Tien NP.
  29. Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta). At Danang; Cat Tien NP.
  30. Southern Yellow-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae). At Cat Tien NP.
  31. Delacour’s Langur (Trachypithecus delacouri). At Van Long NR.
  32. Annamese Silvered Langur (Trachypithecus margarita). At Cat Tien NP.
  33. Black-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nigripes). At Cat Tien NP.
  34. Grey-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix cinerea). At Nui Thanh area.
  35. Red-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus). At Son Tra; Bach Ma.

B. REPTILE LIST
DRAFT: – reptile records from only Cat Tien have been entered:

  1. Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus). At Cat Tien.
  2. Ruby-eyed Green Pitviper (Trimeresurus rubeus). At Cat Tien.
  3. Common Mock Viper (Psammoddynastes pulverulentus). At Cat Tien.
  4. Laotian Wolf Snake (Lycodon laoensis). At Cat Tien.
  5. Spotted Forest Skink (Sphenomorphus maculatus). At Cat Tien.
  6. Common Sun Skink (Eutropis multifasciata). At Cat Tien.
  7. Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor). At Cat Tien Danang.
  8. Crowned Pricklenape (Acanthosaura coronata). At Cat Tien.
  9. Tokay (Gekko gecko). At Cat Tien.
  10. Flat-tailed House Gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus). At Cat Tien.

C. LIST OF TRIPS TO VIETNAM

  1. South and Central Vietnam (14 Jan – 1 Feb 2012), with Chi Phan.
    • Sites: Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hoi An, Hue, Phong Nga, and Cat Tien NP.
  2. North Vietnam (15-27 Nov 2012), with Chi Phan.
    • Sites: Hanoi, Cuc Phuong NP, Van Long NR.
  3. North and Central Vietnam (12-29 July 2024), with Chi Phan.
  4. South Vietnam (7-17 Dec 2024), with Chi Phan.
    • Sites: Ho Chi Minh City, Cat Tien NP.

D. REPORTS

  1. “Cuc Phuong NP (Vietnam): mammal records“. Posted 2024 Aug 18. Visited Nov 2012 (alone) and July 2024 (with Nick Cox and Le Khac Quyet). Highlights: Ha Long Leaf-nosed Bat.
  2. “Red-shanked Douc Langur at Danang (Vietnam), July 2024“. Posted 2024 Oct 7. Guided by Bui Van Tuan.
  3. “Grey-shanked Douc Langur near Nui Thanh (Vietnam), July 2024“. Posted 2024 Oct 7. Guided by Bui Van Tuan.
  4. “Cat Tien NP mammal records (Vietnam, 2024)“. DRAFT in progress.

E. LOGISTICS

  • Online Visa Application: With USA and UK passports we applied online (July, 2024) for 30-day visas at: https://evisa.gov.vn/. Processing time was three business days. From Nov 2024 if you have a “full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK” (and a few other countries) then you “can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business” (UK government website – check for updates). I did not know this in Dec 2024 and I had an e-visa; the immigration officer on arrival told me I did not need the visa and that was the first time I heard about it.
  • Immigration, Baggage and Customs: Immigration and baggage inspection at Hanoi airport (July 2024) was quick and straight forward. Immigration at Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) took an hour (Dec 2024).
  • Currency (2024 July 15): US$1 = 25,400 VND (Vietnamese Dong); it was around 21,000 in 2012.
  • ATMs (2024): The ATMs have space for 6-digit PINs. For cards with 4-digit PINs there are online reports suggesting you add two zeros at the front or end of your PIN but at HSBC my card worked when using the normal 4-digit PIN.
  • SIM Card (2024): We used Viettel. SIM cards can be purchased at the airport. In Hanoi (July 2024) we obtained sim cards at the Viettel store on the NW corner of Ho Hoan Kiem Lake (store address: 53 P. Luong Van Can). A 30-day package allowing up to 8 GB per day cost 250,000 VND ($10). In Ho Chi Minh City (Dec 2024) we bought sim cards at this store near our rental apartment close to Vinhomes Central Park.
  • e-SIM: In Dec 2024 I bought an e-SIM (through Airalo) so that I would have data on landing; we then moved to standard SIM cards so that we could have a working phone number.
  • Ride-share App: GRAB was very useful. We also used Booking.com for airport transfers.
  • Motorbike rental: In Danang (2024) it was easy to rent a motorbike from the hotel.
  • Car rental: To rent a car you need a Vietnam Driver’s Licence.

Return to Contents.

Peru

I visited Peru briefly in 2016 and again in June 2023.

Sites Visited and Site Report links:
1 – Chaparri Private Conservation Area (2016). To be posted 2024 Dec.
2 – Ceiba Tops (Iquitos area, 2023 June). To be posted 2024 Dec.
3 – Tahuayo River (Iquitos area, 2023 June). Posted 2024 Dec.

Mammal Species Posts:
Streaked Dwarf Porcupine (Coendou ichillus) is known from only ten sites across four countries, I photographed it south of Iquitos, posted here.

MAMMAL LIST
List under construction (2024 Dec)

  1. Bishop’s Slender Opossum (Marmosops bishopi). Tahuayo River area.
  2. White-bellied Slender Opossum (Marmosops noctivagus). Tahuayo River area.
  3. Anderson’s Four-eyed Opossum (Philander andersoni). Ceiba Tops.
  4. Northern Black-eared Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis). Ceiba Tops. Tahuayo River area.
  5. Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla). Tahuayo River area.
  6. Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus). Tahuayo River area.
  7. Fringe-lipped Bat (Trachops cirrhosus). Tahuayo River area.
  8. Flat-faced Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus planirostris). Ceiba Tops
  9. Greater Sac-winged Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata). Ceiba Tops; Tahuayo River area.
  10. Proboscis Bat (Rhynchonycteris naso). Tahuayo River area.
  11. Thumbless Bat (Furipterus horrens). Tahuayo River area.
  12. White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari). Tahuayo River area.
  13. Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu). Chaparri.
  14. White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Chaparri.
  15. Gray Dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis). Tahuayo River area.
  16. Amazon Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). Tahuayo River area.
  17. Sechuan Fox (Lycalopex sechurae). Chaparri.
  18. Kinkajou (Potos flavus). Tahuayo River area.
  19. Central Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis). Tahuayo River area.
  20. Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). Tahuayo River area.
  21. South American Long-tailed Porcupine (Coendou longicaudatus). Tahuayo River area.
  22. Streaked Dwarf Porcupine (Coendou ichillus). Tahuayo River area.
  23. Black Agouti (Dasyprocta fuliginosa). Ceiba Tops.
  24. Guayaquil Squirrel (Sciurus stramineus). Chaparri.
  25. Southern Amazon Red Squirrel (Hadrosciurus spadiceus / Sciurus spadiceus). Tahuayo River area.
  26. Amazonian Marsh Rat (Holochilus nanus). Ceiba Tops.
  27. White-bellied Arboreal Rice Rat (Oecomys bicolor). Ceiba Tops.
  28. Yellow-crowned Brush-tailed Rat (Isothrix bistriata). Tahuayo River area.
  29. Amazon Bamboo Rat (Dactylomys dactylinus). Tahuayo River area.
  30. Peruvian Tree Rat (Toromys rhipidurus). Tahuayo River area.
  31. Long-tailed Spiny Tree Rat (Makalata macrura). Tahuayo River area.
  32. Spiny Rat sp (Proechimys sp). Tahuayo River area.
  33. Cuvier’s Spiny-rat (Proechimys cuvieri). Ceiba Tops.
  34. Ferreira’s Spiny Tree Rat (Mesomys hispidus). Ceiba Tops.
  35. Ma’s Night Monkey (Aotus nancymae). Tahuayo River area.
  36. Eastern Pygmy Marmoset (Cebuella niveiventris). Tahuayo River area.
  37. Colombian Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus). Tahuayo River area.
  38. Monk Saki (Pithecia monachus). Tahuayo River area.
  39. Coppery Titi (Plecturocebus cupreus). Tahuayo River area.
  40. Moustached Tamarin (Saguinus mystax). Tahuayo River area.
  41. Red-mantled Saddle-back Tamarin (Saguinus lagonotus). Ceiba Tops.
  42. Geoffroy’s Saddle-back Tamarin (Saguinus nigrifrons). Tahuayo River area.
  43. Ecuadorian Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri macrodon). Tahuayo River area.
  44. Tufted Capuchin (Sapajus apella). Tahuayo River area.

Panama

Paul Carter, 26 Mar 2022 (revised 18 Apr 2022)

I visited Panama over 6-20 February 2022; with Chi Phan. Of the +38 mammals recorded the highlights were Margay and Ocelot on the Pipeline Trail; Panama Mouse Opossum at Gamboa; and Cacomistle and Alston’s Woolly Mouse Opossum at Boquete.
Contents below: 1) Locations; 2) Mammal List; 3) Photos; 4) Travel Tips.
Links to regional reports and species reports are shown below.

1. LOCATIONS VISITED
Mammal-watching was focused on the following three areas:
1) Gamboa (36 mammals; 4n at Summit Rainforest and Golf Resort; 2n at Gamboa Rainforest Lodge). Site post HERE.
2) El Valle de Anton (3n at El Valle de Anton La Chachalaca).
3) Boquete (6 mammals; 5n at Los Naranjos cottage). Site post HERE.

2. MAMMAL LIST – as 26 March 2022
Bat records below marked as “EMT” were made using an Echo Meter Touch 2 Pro (link), but only where there were visuals on the bat and repeated recordings that made sense (habitat, range etc); the EMT is not up to date on taxonomic changes so this was also taken into account on IDs.

  1. Alston’s Woolly Mouse Opossum (Marmosa alstoni) @ Boquete (first photographic record for Panama? Detailed post HERE and Zenodo article HERE).
  2. Panama Mouse Opossum (Marmosa isthmica / Marmosa robinsoni isthmica) @ Gamboa.
  3. Common Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) @ Gamboa area and Boquete.
  4. Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) @ Gamboa area.
  5. Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) @ Gamboa area.
  6. Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) @ Gamboa area.
  7. Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) @ Gamboa area.
  8. Lesser White-lined Bat (Saccopteryx leptura) – EMT. @ Gamboa area.
  9. Greater White-lined Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata) – EMT. @ Gamboa area.
  10. Common Black Myotis (Myotis nigricans) – EMT. @ Anton Valley.
  11. Northern Hairy-legged Myotis (Myotis pilosatibialis) – EMT. @ Anton Valley.
  12. Common Big-eared Bat (Micronycteris microtis) @ Gamboa area and Anton Valley.
  13. Merriam’s Long-tongued Bat (Glossophaga mutica) @ Gamboa area.
  14. Seba’s Short-tailed Bat (Carollia perspicillata) @ Gamboa area.
  15. Common Tent-making Bat (Uroderma bilobatum) @ Gamboa.
  16. Great Stripe-faced Bat (Vampyrodes major) @ Gamboa.
  17. Greater Broad-nosed Bat (Platyrrhinus vittatus) @ Boquete.
  18. Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) @ Gamboa area.
  19. Mesoamerican Mustached Bat (Pteronotus mesoamericanus) @ Gamboa.
  20. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) @ Gamboa area.
  21. Margay (Leopardus wiedii) @ Gamboa area.
  22. Cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti) @ Boquete.
  23. White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica) @ Gamboa area and Anton Valley.
  24. Western Lowland Olingo (Bassaricyon medius) @ Gamboa area.
  25. Kinkajou (Potos flavus) @ Gamboa area.
  26. Collared Peccary (Dicotyles tajacu) @ Gamboa area.
  27. Gabb’s Cottontail (Sylvilagus gabbi / Sylvilagus brasiliensis gabbi) @ Gamboa.
  28. Red-tailed Squirrel (Syntheosciurus granatensis / Sciurus granatensis) @ Anton Valley.
  29. Variegated Squirrel (Echinosciurus variegatoides / Sciurus variegatoides) @ Gamboa.
  30. Quichua Porcupine (Coendou quichua; includes Coendou rothschildi) @ Gamboa area (Plantation Road and Laguna Trail).
  31. Lesser Capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius) @ Gamboa area.
  32. Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) @ Gamboa area and Boquete.
  33. Spotted Paca (Cuniculus paca) @ Gamboa.
  34. Chiriquian Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys garichensis) @ Boquete.
  35. Talamancan Deer Mouse (Peromyscus nudipes) @ Boquete.
  36. Tomes’s Spiny Rat (Proechimys semispinosus) @ Gamboa area (Plantation Road, Laguna Trail and Tram station).
  37. Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata) @ Gamboa area.
  38. Geoffroy’s Tamarin (Saguinus geoffroyi) @ Gamboa area.

3. PHOTOS
Alston’s Woolly Mouse Opossum shown below; other mammal photos shown in site/regional posts.

Alston’s Woolly Mouse Opossum (Marmosa alstoni) in Boquete, Panama (2022 Feb 17 – 9 PM)

4. PANAMA TRAVEL TIPS (2022)

  • Covid protocols: We were vaccinated and no covid test was needed before arrival, but we had to fill in an online health form with submission of certificate/card showing full covid vaccination, and your passport ID page. See COVID-19 Guidelines (tourismpanama.com). ALL travelers were required to present their completed Electronic Health Affidavit (in physical or digital form) to their airline or carrier BEFORE boarding to Panama. COPA state that fully vaccinated passengers must present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
  • Rental Car: we used Avis (in Tocumen airport), renting a Hyundai Tucson 2WD; no issues. Avis charged $22 for a toll-booth drive-through system but we did not drive through many booths. See this post for driving in Panama.
  • Navigation: we used the Waze app; it shows the speed limits (mostly correctly) and reported traffic police (many on the highway). The AllTrails app was also useful for hiking trails
  • Phone cards: at the phone card booth opposite the Avis rental counter in Tocumen airport we bought Digicel sim cards and a one-week package with unlimited data and texts for about $25. We later bought 7-day plans for about $6 using Recharge.com (which seemed easier than using Digicell itself for extending a plan).
  • Antigen tests: we needed these for return to the US. We flew at 7 PM and got the tests at 2 PM with a 30-minute wait for our results. The test center was at the rental-car section in Tocumen Airport.

Belize

Paul Carter, Feb 2022, revised 25 March 2022
On a mammal-watching trip with Chi Phan to Belize in December 2021 (15 nights) I saw +40 species of mammals.
A summary of the mammal records and locations is given in Section 2 below; highlights being Baird’s Tapir, Hatt’s Vesper Rat (a Yucatan endemic) and Thomas’s Sac-winged Bat.
A summary of the reptile records is given in Section 3; the Creaser’s Mud Turtle seen at La Milpa (NW Belize) appears to be the first record outside Mexico (detailed post HERE).
The route and sites visited are listed in Section 1.
Contents below: 1) Sites and Accommodation; 2) Mammal Records; 3) Reptile Records; 4) Images.
NOTE: Content on this page is not fixed and change is probable, for example addition of species and links to site reports.

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Ethiopia

Dates visited: 20 March – 4 April 2018.
Mammal List: about 60 mammal species (including one Maned Rat).
Reptile List: about 15 reptile species.
I only visited areas south of Addis Ababa as well as Debre Libanos.
Logistics: I travelled with a cultural guide (Biruk) and driver (Werku); they were not wildlife guides but I recommend them both highly if you are prepared to manage the wildlife side yourself. We used a 4WD Landcuiser and camped where we could; I went spotlighting wherever we camped.

Route Summary (2018): Addis Ababa – Mount Fantale Hyena Caves – Awash NP – Doha Lodge – Ali Dege NP – Bilen Lodge – Awash NP – Dinsho and Gaysay Grasslands – Web Valley – Dinso Sof Omar Caves – Sanetti Plateau – Riru and Harrena Forest – Sanetti Plateua – Dinsho – Wondo Genet – Lake Awassa Park – Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary – Abiata-Shalla Reserve – Alem Gen – Ziway – Lake Langano – Debre Libanos – Addis Ababa.

Posts to date include:
Maned Rat (Lophiomys imhausi); one of three recent records in Ethiopia (as at 2019).

Iceland

By July 2020 and with ongoing covid and travel restrictions I had stayed in the USA for 5 months and according to immigration I had to move on if I could; I had already been given two one-month extensions on my ESTA stay. Iceland at the time was easy to visit for EU citizens, requiring only a PCR test on arrival, so I flew there from Los Angeles. My 18-day stay (27 July – 13 August) included 4 nights in Reykjavik. Once I had the results of my PCR test I booked a 2WD car from Hertz; and drove clockwise around the island; covering 3,370 km. I car-camped where possible, mostly in camp-grounds, or booked rooms on the day. I did four whale-watching trips; at Reykjavik, Olafsvik, Hauganes and Husavik (marked W1 to W4 on the route map below).

My mammal highlight was the Arctic Fox at Modrudalur; a farm and campground with a regularly used den and habituated animals. Further details posted here: Arctic Fox at Modrudalur.

Mammal List (Iceland, 2020)

  1. Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus) @ Heydalur and Modrudalur.
  2. Harbour Seal (Phocoena sinus) @ Ytri Tunga, Illugastadir and Jokulsarlon.
  3. Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) @ Ytri Tunga and Illugastadir.
  4. Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) @ Hrafnavellir.
  5. Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) @ Olafsvik, Hauganes and Husavik.
  6. Common Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) @ Reykjavik and Olafsvik.
  7. White-beaked Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) @ Reykjavik, Olafsvik, Hauganes, Husavik and Borgafjordur.
  8. Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) @ Hauganes and Husavik.

Route Map
The map below shows the key mammal sites that I visited. My four whale-watching trips were .

Australia

From 2007 to 2011 I worked in the outback of NW Queensland, Australia, as GM Exploration for Ivanhoe Australia and managed the Cloncurry Project southeast of Mount Isa. Wildlife-focused trips during that period and since then have included:

  • Darwin and Kakadu NP area, NT, Sep 2018; not yet reported.
  • Southwestern Western Australia, Nov 2017, with Chi Phan.
  • Melbourne area, Victoria, 2016 Feb, with Chi Phan.
  • Tasmania, 2016 Jan, with Chi Phan.
  • Bamaga, NE Queensland, 2008 Mar, with Clide Carter.
  • NE Queensland, 2007 Nov, with Chi Phan.
  • New South Wales, 2007 Oct, with Chi Phan.
  • Cloncurry area, QLD, 2007-2011.
  • Perth, Cairns, Brisbane and Tasmania regions (Nov 1982-Jan 1983).

Geological side-interest – a reference on the discovery of the Merlin deposit:
Brown M, Lazo F, Carter P, Goss B and Kirwin DJ (2010). The geology and discovery of the Merlin Mo-Re zone of the Mount Dore Deposit, Mount Isa Inlier, NW Queensland, Australia. SGA News – 2010 June – No. 27 p1, 9-15.

Mongolia

I worked in Mongolia from 2002 to 2007, as an exploration geologist managing exploration projects mostly in the Gobi with other exploration work and travel across the country. My last mammal-watching trips were in 2016 and 2019.

TRIPS:
2019 Aug: Mammal-watching Trip across Central and Western Mongolia (2019 Aug 4-30); trip with Kevin Bryan, Ian Thompson, Sjef Ollers and Anja Palmans.
2016 Sep: Gobi with Jon Hall and Phil Telfer.
2016 Sep: Khangai Mountains and Sharga (with Phil Telfer).
2016 Aug: Ikh Nart and Ulaanbaatar area.
2004 June: Gobi birding trip with Clide Carter.

OTHER REPORTS:
2020 May: Meriones gerbils in Mongolia: taxonomy and tails.

Sri Lanka

Trip Report – Northwest Sri Lanka (mammals) – 2015 Dec 1-5

Trip Reports for Central and Southern Sri Lanka not yet done (Dec 2015)

Trip Report: southwest Western Australia, Nov 2017

Posted by Paul Carter

Trip Report (mammals) – southwest Western Australia – Nov 2017
Paul Carter

On a mammal-watching trip from 5th  to 22nd Nov 2017, with Chi Phan (anti-camping, non-mammalwatching Ms), I saw 23 mammals and +15 reptile species. Numbat, Red-tailed and Brush-tailed Phascogales were the highlights, and I was happy to see Quokka without having to do the Rottnest option.

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