Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat

Bhimgad and Wroughton’s free-tailed bat

Bhimgad protects the only known breeding roost of a rare free-tailed bat; responsible access begins by leaving that cave undisturbed.

By Roampedia · Updated 4 September 2026 · 5 min read

Wroughton’s free-tailed bat is the species most closely identified with Bhimgad’s cave conservation.Photo: divyacm, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bhimgad is protected Western Ghats forest, not an unrestricted fort trail. Its cave systems matter because Barapede is a breeding roost of Wroughton’s free-tailed bat.

Absence is the responsible visit

A bat roost does not become better understood through noise, flash or a closer approach. Unless the Forest Department explicitly authorises access, the correct plan is to remain on the managed route and leave caves alone.

Start with the range office

Permission, guides, fire risk and monsoon damage can change the usable route. Confirm them before leaving Khanapur and do not treat a map pin as an entrance.

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