Governor’s Office recognizes Bat Week in SC

For wildlife biologists, zoo managers and other professionals who work with bats, every week is bat week, but now a week everyone can get in on the act and learn more about these fascinating and beneficial mammals as well, reports the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Gov. Henry McMaster has signed a proclamation officially marking Oct. 24-31, as “Bat Week” in South Carolina.” This year’s theme for Bat Week nationwide is “Be a Bat Hero!” More information at: http://batweek.org//. As outlined in the proclamation, South Carolina is home to 14 species of bats that provide a valuable boost to farmers and others by helping to control of mosquitos and other insect pests. The proclamation also notes the importance of “continuing federal and state efforts, including developing new public-private partnerships and increasing citizen engagement to promote the health of bat populations; increase the quality and quantity of bat roosting and foraging habitat; and restore bat populations to healthy levels” in the Palmetto State. In the Upstate, SCDNR biologist Jennifer Kindel works with bat populations there, monitoring their status and watching carefully for signs of White Nose Syndrome (WNS), a disease that has decimated bat populations in other states. The first WNS case in South Carolina was confirmed in March of 2013, and dramatic population declines in species such as the Tri-colored bat have been seen in the state ever since. On Oct. 26, from 10am to 1pm, Kindel will be manning the “bat booth” at the Greenville Zoo. Interested people are welcome to stop by with your questions and stories about bats. On Saturday evening, Oct. 27, in Travelers Rest, Sunrift Adventures and the SCDNR will be holding their third annual Halloween bat count. Sunrift’s bat houses foster hundreds of beneficial insect-eating bats that emerge in an impressive display at sunset. There will be a bat talk, a bat count, prizes, and a raffle for bat boxes.