Bat species face various threats in the modern world. One significant challenge is habitat loss due to urbanization, deforestation, and agricultural expansion. As natural habitats diminish, bats lose roosting sites and access to food sources, impacting their populations.

Another critical concern is the spread of diseases, particularly white-nose syndrome (WNS). This fungal disease has led to alarming declines in bat populations, affecting hibernating species. WNS disturbs bats during hibernation, causing them to use precious energy reserves and often leading to mortality. Many die from starvation. The fatality rate of some species once WNS enters a hibernaculum is 78-99%!

Pesticide use in agriculture poses a threat as well. Bats, being insectivores, may consume insects that have been exposed to pesticides, leading to indirect poisoning. This can have detrimental effects on bat health and reproduction.

Climate change further compounds these challenges. Altered weather patterns and temperature shifts can disrupt the availability of insects, a primary food source for many bat species. Additionally, extreme weather events, linked to climate change, can impact roosting sites and foraging areas.

Wind energy development is a more recent concern. Wind turbines, while considered a green energy source, can pose a threat to bats through collisions with the turbine blades. This is especially problematic during migration or when bats are attracted to insects near the turbines. An estimated 10,000-100,000 of bats are killed each year!

Conservation efforts are crucial to mitigate these threats. Protecting natural habitats, implementing sustainable agricultural practices, monitoring and managing diseases (part of what we do), rehabilitation of sick or injured bats, and developing bat-friendly wind energy solutions are essential steps to ensure the survival of bat species in the face of these challenges.

When people find an injured, sick, or displaced bat, they call us.  We will determine if the bat needs a captive setting or if the caller just needs humane advise on a situation. If the bat(s) come to us, we rehabilitate them with the goal of release. Every single bat that we can return to the wild will make a positive impact on our environment. Bats are the single most important species that we rehabilitate.  We take care of all species, adults and pups, including those on the federally endangered species list.

We have had top-notch training from leading bat experts across the United States. We continue to seek professional development regarding any new protocols to help our efforts.  Smaller rehabilitation centers and individual rehabilitators look to us for regular assistance.

We are members of the Kentucky Bat Working Group and Southeast Bat Working Group. We regularly participate in conferences and annual bat counts around the state. This helps to be in the field to gage health and bat numbers as well as connect us with biologists and environmental consulting firms across the region. We serve as a resource to these people as well as Kentucky Fish and Wildlife and Federal Fish and Wildlife.