Image Credit: Contributed: Okanagan Community Bat Project
May 28, 2014 - 3:59 PM
OKANAGAN - The Okanagan has a new bat program to help with conservation, using the public’s help in detecting bat sites.
The Okanagan Community Bat Project offers resources to the public, such as bat education and options for dealing with bats in buildings. References can be found online and questions can be called in to the free hotline.
The Okanagan is home to 14 of B.C.’s 16 bat species, and close to half are considered at risk because of habitat changes and limited places to roost.
Project organizers are asking the public to notify them of any colonies they see, in order to help control the population.
“We’d love to hear from people who notice bats entering buildings on their property,” said Okanagan Community Bat Project coordinator Margaret Holm in a press release. “And for those who want to attract bats there are a variety of bat house and bat roost options. We can give homeowners suggestions about supporting their bat habitat, or if needed, figuring out the best method and time of year to exclude the bats without endangering the adults or young.”
The program is funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. The Bat Program hot line number is 1-855-9BC-BATS (1-855-922-2287).
Image Credit: Contributed: Okanagan Community Bat Project
Image Credit: Contributed: Okanagan Community Bat Project
To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014