Although many individuals tend to steer clear of bats, an environmental organization in Sudbury aims to shift that apprehension into curiosity as they investigate the local bat community.
This past weekend, the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee organized a “bat walk” at Park Lawn Cemetery, inviting community members to partake in the search for these nocturnal creatures.
Due to the nighttime activity of bats and their elusive nature, attendees utilized iPads equipped with echometers to detect the ultrasonic sounds produced by bats during echolocation.
“There is considerable interest in bats within the Sudbury region,” remarked Evan Voutier, an ecological technician associated with the committee.
“We have come to realize that research on bats in our locality is quite limited. Therefore, we are making an effort to contribute to that knowledge while also involving the public in our studies and demonstrating our methodologies.”
Evan Voutier, an ecological technician with the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee, is seen holding an echometer linked to an iPad. (Faith Greco/CBC)
The Junction Creek Stewardship Committee is examining how bats interact with varying habitats throughout Greater Sudbury.
“[We are] not only concentrating on prime habitats or those likely to have many bats, but also on areas that may experience some impact and observing how these conditions affect the bat species present there in comparison to other locations,” Voutier explained.
Abandoned mines, which are plentiful in northern Ontario, serve as crucial hibernation sites for certain bat species during the winter months.
Declining Bat Populations
Franco Mariotti, a biologist and naturalist who volunteers with the group, emphasized the significance of gaining more knowledge about local bats as they face ongoing threats.
“Bats are recognized as endangered due to the white-nose fungus that is decimating their populations.”
White-nose syndrome, a fungal infection affecting bats in hibernation, has led to significant reductions in bat numbers across North America. It forces these animals to awaken too frequently, depleting their energy reserves and resulting in starvation before spring arrives.
Certain bat species are also endangered due to wind turbines. Sudden air pressure fluctuations caused by the rotating blades can lead to gas bubbles forming in body fluids, akin to decompression sickness, commonly referred to as “the bends.” Mariotti noted that this results in serious internal injuries and often leads to death.
Despite the declining numbers, he mentioned that the group’s research has indicated that bats can be found throughout the Sudbury region.
Franco Mariotti, a biologist and naturalist, is a volunteer and founding member of the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee. (Faith Greco/CBC)
“Of the eight species of bats found in Ontario, we have identified all eight in Junction Creek,” he stated.
“This discovery over the past year is remarkable. All of Ontario’s bat species can exist right here in downtown Sudbury.”
He further expressed that bats are vital as they serve as primary predators of insects, aiding in the management of agricultural and forest pests.
Mariotti expressed hope that the public “bat walks” will transform perceptions about these creatures.
“Bats are among those unique animals that captivate and provoke wonder about the natural world,” he remarked.
The Junction Creek Stewardship Committee is set to conduct another public “bat walk” on August 19.
