| WELCOME TO OUR MAIN BAT INFORMATION PAGE!!! |
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UPCOMING BAT EVENTS/PROGRAMS
| Pella Wildlife Company will be presenting bat programs all over the state. Come see us and learn more about bats, how they benefit us, and the threats that could impact not only them, but us as well. For a list of upcoming events look at the list below (*keep checking this page as programs will be updated/added on a weekly basis*): |
| SATURDAY OCTOBER 27th |
Bat Conservation Day at Merle Hay Mall Wildlife Center
Sat, October 27, 10:00am – 9:00pm. Come watch programs dedicated to Iowa’s “Guardians of the Night”.
The BEST Way to Celebrate Halloween Week!
* Bat Programs at 11, 1, 3, 5 and 7pm
* Bat Photos available ALL DAY LONG (Where else can you get your photo taken with a bat?)
* Build Bat Houses w/ Wildlife Adventure Club at 2:00pm
* Games and Much More!
The first ten children who attend get a “pocket pet” bat to take home with them! |
| *** MORE PROGRAMS ADDED WEEKLY *** |
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White-nose Syndrome!!
| ***UPDATE*** White-nose Syndrome has been found in IOWA!!! ***UPDATE*** |
White-Nose Syndrome or WNS is caused by Geomyces destructans, cold-loving fungus found in bat hibernacula. While not harmful to humans, this fungus is devastating to bat populations. In some hibernacula 100% of the bats have died. While WNS has not been found in Iowa, the fungus has been found in 17 states and 2 Canadian provinces since its discovery in 2006. Currently it’s estimated that 7 million bats have died so far. Named for the white fungal ring that grows around the nose, WNS causes affected bats to exhibit strange behavior. Bats with WNS are often seen flying outside during the day or when temperatures are below freezing. While research is still being done, current theories suggest that the fungus wakes bats up during their hibernation and cause them to deplete their fat reserves. Most bats will either die from starvation or freeze to death. Iowa is currently home to 5 species that are affected by WNS…
To learn more about this devastating disease, click on the link below and check out our page dedicated to White-nose Syndrome! |
| Click here to Learn more about White-nose Syndrome |
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Bats of Iowa
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Bats, Agriculture, and the Economy
 $1.76 billion per year?!?!?! Yes, bats estimated value to Iowa’s agricultural industry is $1.76 billion per year. That comes out to roughly $50 an acre. Since Big Brown Bats can eat their entire body weight in one night, even a small colony of 150 Big Browns can eat 1.3 million pest each year. If Iowa was to lose even half of our current bat population, the economic effects could raise the price of goods from ethanol and plastics to everyday grocery items.Besides being important for Iowa’s Ag industry, bats are responsible for controlling many other night-flying insects. One Little Brown Bat can eat up to 1000 mosquitoes an hour! In fact all of Iowa’s bats are insect eaters. While it might catch us off guard, next time you see a bat swooping down near you, be thankful he is gobbling up the bugs that surround you. |
| Click here to Learn more about how bats help our economy and agriculture industry |
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Bats: What can you do to help?
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DONATE NOW!!!
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In our ongoing mission of raising funds to help out our bat population, we have created a place for people to click and donate to the cause! Please click the donate button below and help out at whatever level you are able to! |
