Wanted: New home for one of B.C.'s biggest bat colonies
Nature-lovers seek to delay demolition of building used by nearly 2,000 bats in Kitimat
Nature-lovers are trying to delay the demolition of a building used as a maternity roost by a giant colony of nearly 2,000 bats in Kitimat.
"Bats have got a critical role in the environment," he said, noting that one bat can eat hundreds of insects in a single night. "Their contribution to ecology, to world health is enormous."
However, the bats are living in an old cadets building, which is scheduled for demolition this year.
Thorne is hoping to delay the destruction until an alternate living arrangement for the bats can be found.
Disease kills millions of bats
The discovery of the colony comes at a time when researchers are taking an interest in preserving bat populations in North America.
A fungal disease known as white nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in the east and is advancing toward British Columbia.
Mandy Kellner, a biologist and coordinator of the B.C. Community Bat Project, said it's important not to disturb the Kitimat bats because it appears to be a maternity colony — a roost where bats raise their young.
"They reproduce really slowly," she explained. "Bats will live 20 to 40 years and they're only having one pup a year, or no pups if the conditions aren't good."
The best bet, she said, would be to wait until winter in the hopes the bats move somewhere else to hibernate, allowing the building to be destroyed without any loss of life.
Demolition delayed
The District of Kitimat has agreed to delay the demolition until at least November, and it appears the bats are moving on as the weather gets colder.
Thorne said volunteers counted nearly 2,000 bats in the roost earlier this year, while a more recent estimate placed the number closer to 700.
However, he warned that waiting to destroy the building won't be enough.
"If you destroy their habitat, you have to have compensation for them," he said. "For springtime, when they arrive again in the community, something's got to be in place for them."
Thorne and Kellner both said the ideal solution would be "bat condos," large boxes on stilts that can shelter hundreds of bats at a time.
Thorne is working with the District of Kitimat in the hopes that condos can be put up on or near the site of their current roost.
He said he doesn't want anything to happen until plans are in place and the cadets building is empty of bats.
"This is a really significant find."
To hear the full story, click on the audio labeled: One of B.C.'s biggest bat colonies needs a new home.
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