Scientists from the Institute of Zoology at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, in collaboration with international researchers, have for the first time discovered the Turkmen long-eared bat (“Plecotus turkmenicus”) — a rare and poorly studied species — within the country. The animal was identified in the Southern Ustyurt National Nature Park, the Academy of Sciences press service reported.

The Turkmen long-eared bat is a rare member of the fauna of Central Asia. Until now, information about this species has been based primarily on data collected before 1970 and on museum specimens. Over the last 55 years, it has almost never been observed in its natural habitat.

The discovery was the result of an expedition conducted as part of the "One Health in Nature Conservation" project. This initiative is implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with financial support from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment.

As noted, the discovery of the Turkmen long-eared bat expands our understanding of the species diversity of bats in Uzbekistan and is of interest for further study and the conservation of rare species in the region.