International Bat Day

🦇 Happy International Bat Appreciation Day! 🦇

At Calgary Wildlife, we love our bats — and in 2024 alone, we admitted 68 bats from 6 different species into care!

These incredible creatures are treated in our dedicated bat hospital, affectionately known as “The Bat Cave” — the only one of its kind in Canada!

Our very own Director of Wildlife Care and Services is a true bat expert and was part of the first team to identify White Nose Syndrome in Eastern Canada — a devastating disease that continues to threaten bat populations across North America. Y

Check out this video of our bat expert feeding one of our Big Brown Bat patients!

Bats are marvelous creatures with many jobs in the ecosystem. Here are a few key reasons that bats are so important:

They play a vital role in our ecosystems by controlling insect populations (including mosquitoes!)
Some species pollinate plants and disperse seeds
They're a natural pest control — reducing the need for chemical pesticides

But bats need our help. Many species are threatened or endangered, facing habitat loss, climate change, and the spread of White Nose Syndrome.

How you can help:

Install a bat house to provide safe roosting spots. You can buy bat houses online, locally or even make your own https://www.albertabats.ca/bathouses/
Reduce light pollution around your home in the evenings.
You can put your outdoor lights on timers or motion sensors.
Never handle a bat with bare hands — call a licensed rehabber if you find one in trouble. The Calgary Wildlife hotline number is 403-214-1312 403-214-1312 403-214-1312403-214-1312
Learn about and share the importance of bats in our ecosystems.
Check out all things bat at www.albertabats.ca