Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Statement-II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect✓ Correct
D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Explanation
Statement-I is correct: The Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus medius/giganteus) is listed under Schedule V of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (as it stood before the 2022 amendment), which classifies it as "vermin". Statement-II is incorrect because the Indian Flying Fox is a fruit bat (megabat); it is herbivorous and feeds primarily on fruits, nectar, and flowers — NOT on the blood of other animals. Blood-feeding (sanguivory) is characteristic of vampire bats found in Central and South America, not Indian flying foxes.
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