By NationalToday
Bats contribute towards controlling pests, create rich fertilizer for landowners, and pollinate fruit and flowers.
International Bat Appreciation Day on April 17 is a chance to show our flying and mostly nocturnal friends some love. As well as it obviously being a great excuse to binge a few Batman movies, it’s also an opportunity to delve deep and learn the important role bats play in the ecosystem and biodiversity. There are over 1,400 different bat species and contrary to popular opinion they aren’t blind. So, without further adieu, let’s creep a little deeper into the cave and take a closer look at International Bat Appreciation Day and everything these flying mammals have to offer.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL BAT APPRECIATION DAY
Bat Conservation International (BCI) was founded in 1982 by a group of concerned scientists who recognized the importance of protecting bats. Bats contribute towards controlling pests, create rich fertilizer for landowners, and pollinate fruit and flowers. BCI aims to conserve bats and their habitats through a combination of education, conservation, and research.
Human activities such as deforestation, mining, and irresponsible tourism have caused a substantial decrease in the bats’ population. Bats have often been understudied and misunderstood animals. They are often perceived as disease spreaders when in reality they help keep the numbers of many pests down.
Between 2014 and 2018 the BCI identified 35 critically endangered species of bat that it became a priority to protect. These species are spread throughout the world including the U.S, South America, and The Philippines.
To help their cause and increase awareness on all that bats do for the environment, the BCI introduced International Bat Appreciation Day to our calendars. So now you know, bats have an important role to play and we should be grateful for their presence.
Why is International Bat Appreciation Day Important?
It is important because we can learn all about the roles bats play within ecosystems and begin to protect and care for them.
INTERNATIONAL BAT APPRECIATION DAY ACTIVITIES
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Learn a little.
Read about them or watch a nature documentary. Whatever your preferred medium, dedicate some time to exploring the role bats play within our complex ecosystem.
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Donate to the BCI
Bat Conservation International is working hard to protect endangered species and to ensure the proper upkeep and conservation of the bats’ habitats. Donate either time or money to the cause.
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Watch Batman
It’s definitely a more abstract way of celebrating bats but it counts nonetheless. Maybe watch with a friend and occasionally pause the movie to read out some bat-related trivia.
