Colorado Parks and Wildlife encourages state residents to learn and raise awareness about bat conservation during National Bat Week, observed Oct. 24-31.
Bat Week, held during the last days of October each year, is a celebration of bats and their role in nature organized by representatives from conservation groups and government agencies in the United States and Canada.
“Though many bats in Colorado are hibernating or getting ready to hibernate, Halloween is a great time to raise awareness of bat conservation,” Tina Jackson, CPW species conservation coordinator, said in a news release. “However, we need to keep careful watch all year long for the potential impacts of things like white-nose syndrome or wind energy on the bat populations in the state.”
According to the U.S. Geological Survey of the Department of the Interior, white-nose syndrome is an emergent fungal disease, responsible for the deaths of millions of hibernating, insect-eating bats, that has spread at an alarming rate from the northeastern to central United States. From winter 2007 to fall 2017, bats in 31 states and five Canadian provinces have died from the disease.
Bats also face threats from wind-energy development and habitat loss. To monitor the health of resident bats, Colorado will participate in the North American bat monitoring program, which allows biologists to compile baseline data on bats that live or migrate through the state. By way of acoustic detectors, CPW uses Passive Integrated Responder tags and monitors bat behavior at known roost sites to set a baseline, and observe trends in bat population density, range and location.
Bat conservation is important to the species’ survival and the human ecosystem. For instance, a healthy bat population can be effective to control insect pests. Though they are known to feed on mosquitoes, bats also consume agricultural pests that threaten crops and plants.
Colorado is host to 18 species of bats, which includes 13 species that hibernate. Hibernation usually begins in November and continues through March, depending on the weather. People should also be aware that bats tend to leave hibernation during that time frame for brief periods. If unusual behavior is seen, the public should contact CPW.
“Like anyone in the middle of a long period of inactivity, bats may need a quick drink of water or a chance to move stiff muscles during hibernation,” Jackson said. “This type of behavior would still occur during typical bat times: after dusk and on warmer evenings. If people notice bats out during the day, especially on cold days, or notice dead bats during the winter, we ask that they please give us a call.”
To report a colony or unusual bat behavior, call the CPW bat line at (303) 291-7771 or email wildlife.batline@state.co.us.
For more information about National Bat Week, visit www.batweek.org.
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