Achi news desk-
Spring migration usually conjures up images of songbirds singing sweetly in yards, or waves of ducks following the melting snow northwards.
But nine species of Alberta bats are also returning to our yards, cliffs and forests.
Three of those come from outside the state – the rest hibernate in caves and begin to emerge to feed on insects that also make their first appearance in 2024.
“So the bats are now coming out of hibernation to try and set up a roost,” said Melanie Whalen, an expert at the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.
His group takes in bats that have been found injured or have “diminished” – giving them a chance to recover and go back into the wild.
“We could have really warm days and the bats are out flying and trying to catch some flies,” Whalen said. “Then the next day we can have a temperature drop, and this can lower a bat.”
IN DANGER
Three of Alberta’s bat species are listed as endangered. Two others are being considered by COSEWIC. Like most threatened and endangered species, habitat loss is a significant factor, but the worst culprit is a fungal infection called White Nose Syndrome which causes bats to wake up from hibernation, burning fat reserves valuable and die of starvation before insects emerge.
It was discovered in Alberta in the last two years, but is common in the east.
Bats are often thought of as flying mice, but their lives are more like a grizzly bear.
They can live almost 40 years in the wild. They have one dog a year with a survival rate of about 50 percent. They have complex social structures and an excellent sense of smell.
As bats can carry rabies, it is important to never touch a bat with bare hands. If a person is scratched or bitten by a bat they need immediate medical attention and the bat must be euthanized for testing.
Rabies is always fatal unless treated immediately.
If you find a downed bat, call a professional like the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society and they will restore it. A few days of rest and proper feeding will often allow bats to be released back into the wild.
The Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society relies on donations and is currently campaigning for 500 monthly donors at $25 each.
https://www.calgarywildlife.org
