Merlin really is a magic bat! He is a very inquisitive creature and loves all the attention he gets from the staff and visitors. These bats are truly amazing and have a wing span of up to five feet. Since 1995, when all the founder bats had been brought to Jersey, the population of Livingstone’s fruit bats has doubled. Merlin and the group here are vital to this Critically Endangered species as without intervention, experts predict they could be extinct in as little as 10 years time.

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Livingstone’s fruit bats are also known as Livingstone’s giant flying fox or the Comoro black flying fox - large fruit bats are often called ‘flying foxes’ because their elongated muzzles give them a distinctly foxy appearance. The bats are mostly covered in very dark brown / black fur, with blond or ginger tipped hairs across the shoulders and in the groin area. The bats have rounded ears, which are a distinguishing characteristic of the species, and large orange-brown eyes. Livingstone's fruit bats are one of the largest of all bats. Adults have a wingspan of up to 1.4 m (4.5ft) and a body length of about 30cm (1ft). On average they weigh 500-800g, although bats born in captivity do tend to be heavier as they generally fly less and eat better quality food.

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Of the approximately 1,100 species of bat that live worldwide, Livingstone’s fruit bat is one of the largest and faces the greatest risk of extinction. In the islands of the Comoros where it lives, precious little forest remains – the islands are also home to a poor and rapidly expanding human population. If areas that the bats depend on for their survival are not protected, this amazing species faces the risk of extinction in the near future.

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The first Livingstone's bats arrived at Durrell in 1992 – the species had never been kept in captivity before and bats had to be brought from the steep forested slopes that they call home. This was a difficult exercise and it took four expeditions to catch enough bats for a successful start to the captive breeding programme designed to safeguard the species from being wiped out.

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Adopters will receive an adoption folder containing the following based on Merlin, the Livingstone’s fruit bat:

What's included Bronze Silver Gold A certificate Photograph Fact sheet Birth certificate Animal stickers Two issues of our ‘On the Edge’ magazine per year Regular news via our electronic newsletter ‘eNews’ Complimentary ticket to visit Durrell wildlife park in Jersey Your name listed on our website - Updates about your animal per year - A chance to enjoy a tour with one of our experienced volunteer tour guides, and spend time with your animal and their keeper - - All for just £3 pm £10 pm £55 pm

*Per month

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Where will my Livingstone’s fruit bat donation money go?

Our dedicated conservationists can continue to work tirelessly in threatened habitats in our strategic conservation areas of islands and highlands worldwide. They will also battle to protect and conserve as much wildlife as they can.