Non-profit asks Nova Scotians to ‘adopt’ a bat as part of conservation efforts

The Nature Trust of Nova Scotia has launched an initiative called “Adopt a Tri-coloured Bat” in a bid to educate residents about a rare bat species and support conservation efforts. Bats in the region weigh only about the weight of a Toonie, but they play a significant role in the ecosystem by eating pests like moths and beetles. These small bats are considered keystone species, contributing immensely to maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

The bat populations in the Maritimes experienced a devastating 95% decline due to white-nose syndrome in the early 2010s. This fungal disease forces bats to wake up frequently during hibernation, exhausting their energy reserves. However, the little brown bat populations have shown a slow recovery, which could be attributed to the genetic resilience that the surviving bats have developed.

On average, female bats give birth to two pups per litter, which makes repopulation a slow process. Despite this, the bats are considered a beautiful part of nature. As bat biologists, they often express the fear of a world without them.

Jaimee Morozoff, the Director of Conservation at the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, states that the funds raised through the adoption initiative will directly support land stewardship and habitat protection. The trust’s annual Gifts of Nature program includes this initiative. Donors will receive exclusive artwork and a personalized adoption certificate.

The initiative is part of the trust’s effort to protect the remaining roosting sites of these bats. Bat sightings can be reported online at batconservation.ca or by calling the Atlantic Bat Hotline at 1-833-434-2287 (BATS). To stay updated with more stories, add Global News as a Preferred Source on Google.