On the western side of New Caledonia, there lies a home to 5 near-endemic species of mammals and 23 near-endemic species of birds of the tropical dry forest. The trees of tropical dry forest used to cover most of the lowlands of New Caledonia but have been reduced to small patches that cover less than 2% of its original area (World Wildlife Fund 2013). These small patches are home to this small group of vertebrates. New Caledonia has various species of mammals and birds, 90% of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Coincidently, mammals are the most endangered of becoming extinct with an IUCN classification of vulnerable or higher. Of the birds, only two have a status of vulnerable or higher but most are of near threatened or lower. Therefore, it is important that these areas be conserved so these rare mammals and bird species will continue to exist.
Ornate Flying Fox
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New Caledonia Wattled Bat
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New CaledoniaN Flying Fox
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New Caledonian Long-Eared Bat
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Long-tailed Fruit Bat [Fijian Blossom Bat]
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