Alberta Community Bat Program/Western Bat Program π¦
@albertabats.bsky.social
Alberta Community Bat Program (www.albertabats.ca). Promoting bat conservation, stewardship & education. A program of WCS Canada (Wildlife Conservation Society Canada) and a member of the WCS Canada Western Bat Program.
Pinned
Wind energy is essential for a cleaner future, but at what cost to wildlife?
We have created a short 7min documentary highlighting the issues affecting migratory bats in western Canada and across North America. Solutions exist but implementation needs to be encouraged. See below for links.π¦ππ¦π§ͺ
We have created a short 7min documentary highlighting the issues affecting migratory bats in western Canada and across North America. Solutions exist but implementation needs to be encouraged. See below for links.π¦ππ¦π§ͺ
Start seeing your property as habitat. What are you doing to support native ecology? Plant native trees and plants to help local wildlife - even in the city. Skip pesticides. Replace some lawn with native plants (and lower your water bill!). Turn off outdoor lights in summer. Small steps matter. π¦π‘πΏ
February 11, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Start seeing your property as habitat. What are you doing to support native ecology? Plant native trees and plants to help local wildlife - even in the city. Skip pesticides. Replace some lawn with native plants (and lower your water bill!). Turn off outdoor lights in summer. Small steps matter. π¦π‘πΏ
Best practice for bat houses is installing 3 or more boxes close together, with different sun exposure or colours to create varied microclimates. Using a FLIR infrared camera, we see zones & heat clusters where bats roost. Watch and youβll spot the βhotβ bats dropping out as they head off to hunt π¦β¨
February 10, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Best practice for bat houses is installing 3 or more boxes close together, with different sun exposure or colours to create varied microclimates. Using a FLIR infrared camera, we see zones & heat clusters where bats roost. Watch and youβll spot the βhotβ bats dropping out as they head off to hunt π¦β¨
DYK that dead bats are sold as trinkets around the world? Our colleagues published recently about the negative impacts this trade has had on bat populations and the need for better, enforced legislation. π¦ππ§ͺ
We studied the ornamental trade in painted woolly bats in Ho Chi Minh City. We found: this bat is popular in trade, hunted in the wild in Vietnam, mainly sold to tourists and rare in the wild. The trade is illegal, but this bat needs stronger legal protections.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ge...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ge...
Redirecting
urldefense.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:20 PM
DYK that dead bats are sold as trinkets around the world? Our colleagues published recently about the negative impacts this trade has had on bat populations and the need for better, enforced legislation. π¦ππ§ͺ
They aren't all so cooperative! LOL! But this is a good question!
February 7, 2026 at 11:48 PM
They aren't all so cooperative! LOL! But this is a good question!
the Latin names are so much better for bats!
February 7, 2026 at 11:47 PM
the Latin names are so much better for bats!
π¦ Little Brown Bats are widespread across North America. "Myotis" is the genus they belong to (Myotis lucifugus) and it means "mouse-eared". It is still correct to call them a Little Brown Bat - using "Myotis" is just a little more descriptive.
February 7, 2026 at 8:53 PM
π¦ Little Brown Bats are widespread across North America. "Myotis" is the genus they belong to (Myotis lucifugus) and it means "mouse-eared". It is still correct to call them a Little Brown Bat - using "Myotis" is just a little more descriptive.
Thank you! This switch in focus from caves to crevice habitat for overwintering bats is a change for bat biologists too! And a lot of us are just realizing a) we've been missing the mark and b) this is going to be challenging to find them!
February 7, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Thank you! This switch in focus from caves to crevice habitat for overwintering bats is a change for bat biologists too! And a lot of us are just realizing a) we've been missing the mark and b) this is going to be challenging to find them!
Our latest issue of "The Roost Report" is out! You can find it here www.albertabats.ca/hibernation-...
Learn about bat hibernation habitat and the challenges we have had finding out where bats go in the winter! π¦π§ͺππ¦
Learn about bat hibernation habitat and the challenges we have had finding out where bats go in the winter! π¦π§ͺππ¦
Hibernation - crevice roosts are important (The Roost Report #007 ) - Alberta Community Bat Program
Finding hibernation sites for bats is challenging! Typical overwintering habitat has been caves but crevice habitat may be more important than we thought.
www.albertabats.ca
February 6, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Our latest issue of "The Roost Report" is out! You can find it here www.albertabats.ca/hibernation-...
Learn about bat hibernation habitat and the challenges we have had finding out where bats go in the winter! π¦π§ͺππ¦
Learn about bat hibernation habitat and the challenges we have had finding out where bats go in the winter! π¦π§ͺππ¦
We had a whole thread like this on "that other site". We should start it up again. There are so many great names for bat in other languages!
February 2, 2026 at 4:48 PM
We had a whole thread like this on "that other site". We should start it up again. There are so many great names for bat in other languages!
January was a little quiet onlineβ¦ because we were very loud behind the scenes π¦
Grant writing, project planning, and gearing up for a season of bat netting, DNA analysis, and acoustic monitoring.
Big things are comingβstay tuned. #SameBatChannel
Grant writing, project planning, and gearing up for a season of bat netting, DNA analysis, and acoustic monitoring.
Big things are comingβstay tuned. #SameBatChannel
February 2, 2026 at 4:47 PM
January was a little quiet onlineβ¦ because we were very loud behind the scenes π¦
Grant writing, project planning, and gearing up for a season of bat netting, DNA analysis, and acoustic monitoring.
Big things are comingβstay tuned. #SameBatChannel
Grant writing, project planning, and gearing up for a season of bat netting, DNA analysis, and acoustic monitoring.
Big things are comingβstay tuned. #SameBatChannel
Thank you! We love to see that people care!
January 28, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Thank you! We love to see that people care!
we concur!
a person is holding a piece of paper that says yes definitely and absolutely !!!
ALT: a person is holding a piece of paper that says yes definitely and absolutely !!!
media.tenor.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:57 PM
we concur!
He is amazingly generous in sharing his photos! We hope every image cultivates a new bat friend! #BatsNeedFriends π¦
January 28, 2026 at 5:10 PM
He is amazingly generous in sharing his photos! We hope every image cultivates a new bat friend! #BatsNeedFriends π¦
π¦ππ§ͺfor those looking for it - here is the link to the op-ed. This is a call to action for all supporters of informed, sustainable wildlife and wildlife habitat management! This call is particular to British Columbia - but the tenets are true everywhere.
Check out the Vancouver Sun for Cori Lausen's latest op-ed which shows that we canβt build a resilient future by sidelining biodiversity (2/2)
π https://f.mtr.cool/yhqfjjbdvu
@albertabats.bsky.social
π https://f.mtr.cool/yhqfjjbdvu
@albertabats.bsky.social
Opinion: B.C.βs commitment to biodiversity put on hold
48 species listed as endangered federally aren't recognized as species at risk in B.C. and don't qualify for steps to protect their habitat.
f.mtr.cool
January 28, 2026 at 5:08 PM
π¦ππ§ͺfor those looking for it - here is the link to the op-ed. This is a call to action for all supporters of informed, sustainable wildlife and wildlife habitat management! This call is particular to British Columbia - but the tenets are true everywhere.
π¦ππ§ͺA call for action from our director of bat research, Dr. Cori Lausen. The lists of "species at risk" in British Columbia include more than bats - BC legislation has always fallen short in NOT protecting habitat for these species. Clear rules help wildlife & help responsible development.
After nearly 20 years without updating the Species at Risk list used by the Forestry Industry, many of BC's endangered species still lack real habitat protection - even though science is clear that without it, recovery is unlikely (1/2)Β
πΈ Cory Olson
πΈ Cory Olson
January 28, 2026 at 5:05 PM
π¦ππ§ͺA call for action from our director of bat research, Dr. Cori Lausen. The lists of "species at risk" in British Columbia include more than bats - BC legislation has always fallen short in NOT protecting habitat for these species. Clear rules help wildlife & help responsible development.
He still is! But now he plays with really cool camera set-ups and wanders the planet taking cool bat photos! π¦πΈ
January 28, 2026 at 12:05 AM
He still is! But now he plays with really cool camera set-ups and wanders the planet taking cool bat photos! π¦πΈ
That sounds really fun! Looking forward to it!
January 28, 2026 at 12:04 AM
That sounds really fun! Looking forward to it!
This is an excellent recommendation as well!!!
January 27, 2026 at 9:04 PM
This is an excellent recommendation as well!!!
The Native Bat Program people can be reached via here www.torontozoo.com/bats
Toronto Zoo | Bats
www.torontozoo.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:03 PM
The Native Bat Program people can be reached via here www.torontozoo.com/bats
The closest bat lab is in London, Ontario at Western www.uwo.ca/biology/facu... but Brock is emeritus, so I don't know if he actually has any students. You could check with the Toronto Zoo - they do outreach and maybe have people in Windsor!
Brock Fenton - Western University
www.uwo.ca
January 27, 2026 at 9:02 PM
The closest bat lab is in London, Ontario at Western www.uwo.ca/biology/facu... but Brock is emeritus, so I don't know if he actually has any students. You could check with the Toronto Zoo - they do outreach and maybe have people in Windsor!
π¦Bonjour Γ tous ! Nos collΓ¨gues de Colombie-Britannique ont traduit la brochure sur les communautΓ©s favorables aux chauves-souris en franΓ§ais ! Bonne lecture !
bcbats.ca/bc-bats-news...
bcbats.ca/bc-bats-news...
Nouvelle version française de la brochure | BC BATS
Nous sommes heureux de vous présenter la nouvelle version française de la brochure Communautés amies des chauves-souris (C.-B.).
bcbats.ca
January 23, 2026 at 6:45 PM
π¦Bonjour Γ tous ! Nos collΓ¨gues de Colombie-Britannique ont traduit la brochure sur les communautΓ©s favorables aux chauves-souris en franΓ§ais ! Bonne lecture !
bcbats.ca/bc-bats-news...
bcbats.ca/bc-bats-news...
Love it! The top bat looks like the fishing bat Noctilio leporinus - a spectacular bat from central and south America. The other fellow - not sure of his identity - plain-nosed for sure, love the round-shaped body - great drawings! ππ¦
January 21, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Love it! The top bat looks like the fishing bat Noctilio leporinus - a spectacular bat from central and south America. The other fellow - not sure of his identity - plain-nosed for sure, love the round-shaped body - great drawings! ππ¦
Bats need trees to survive. π³π¦Native trees offer safe roosting sites and support the insects bats eat.
Plant a tree this year β itβs a win for bats and a win for people.
It's never to early to start thinking about planting!
Plant a tree this year β itβs a win for bats and a win for people.
It's never to early to start thinking about planting!
January 21, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Bats need trees to survive. π³π¦Native trees offer safe roosting sites and support the insects bats eat.
Plant a tree this year β itβs a win for bats and a win for people.
It's never to early to start thinking about planting!
Plant a tree this year β itβs a win for bats and a win for people.
It's never to early to start thinking about planting!
π¦ππ§ͺICYMI - our work with a probiotic to help combat white-nose syndrome in bats was featured on Global News just before Christmas. A nice interview featuring our provincial lead in Alberta, Cory Olson & our colleague Dr. Matina Kalcounis-Ruppell at the University of Alberta.
youtu.be/Df8OudBW1Sc?...
youtu.be/Df8OudBW1Sc?...
Deadly fungus βWhite-nose syndromeβ found in Alberta bats
YouTube video by Global News
youtu.be
January 16, 2026 at 7:58 PM
π¦ππ§ͺICYMI - our work with a probiotic to help combat white-nose syndrome in bats was featured on Global News just before Christmas. A nice interview featuring our provincial lead in Alberta, Cory Olson & our colleague Dr. Matina Kalcounis-Ruppell at the University of Alberta.
youtu.be/Df8OudBW1Sc?...
youtu.be/Df8OudBW1Sc?...