For those interested or curious, NCKRI's Adopt-A-Bat program is designed to support maintenance and research of NCKRI's bat roost. We hope those results will outweigh the dollar value of the contributions in their value toward understanding bat ecology and in bat protection and management. NCKRI Headquarters is the world's first building that includes a bat roost as part of its design.
This year was the first when the roost was available for bats since construction was completed. We've seen a speck of guano here and there, but no occupants so far. We've also recently installed infrared cameras to watch for bats that might fly to our roost to check it out and eventually (hopefully) move in. By bat standards, the roost is luxurious and in an optimal location, but the lack of bats so far is not a surprise. BCI has found that it usually takes 2-5 years for bats to discover and move into a new roost. Additionally, the record drought in New Mexico this year has resulted in low populations of moths and other critters bats like to eat, so bat populations here have been low as bats are staying in areas where hunting is better. As a NCKRI PR guy, I want bats in the roost, I want them now, and I want them to form a maternity colony. As a NCKRI science guy, I don't care which bats move in, when they move in, or even if they move in. No matter what happens, contributions to NCKRI's Adopt-A-Bat program support good science to better understand bats and their roosting preferences. George *************************** George Veni, Ph.D. Executive Director National Cave and Karst Research Institute 400-1 Cascades Avenue Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220-6215 USA Office: 575-887-5517 Mobile: 210-863-5919 Fax: 413-383-2276 [email protected] www.nckri.org -----Original Message----- From: Jim Kennedy [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, October 21, 2011 09:16 To: Mark Minton; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [Texascavers] RE: Adopt a Bat Mark, at the risk of posting a Locklear-esque reply, I want to say a little more about "adopt a bat" programs. Bat Conservation International started the first "adopt-a-bat" program. It has been running since about 1995. Originally you got a photo of a bat (several species from which to choose), information on that species, and a certificate of adoption. Now you actually get a plush bat toy. We rotate out a species each year and introduce a new one to keep things fresh. You can learn more, and adopt a bat of your own, at http://www.batcon.org/index.php/support-bci/adopt-a-bat.html. Other organizations quickly jumped on the bat bandwagon. The first were Carlsbad Caverns National Park (http://www.ccgma.org/Adopt.htm) and Bat World Sanctuary (http://www.batworld.org/adopt-a-bat-now/). Others (besides Defenders for Wildlife, as you mentioned) include: World Animal Foundation http://worldanimalfoundation.homestead.com/AdoptABat.html World Wildlife Fund http://www.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Vampire -Bat.aspx?gid=54 Lava Beds National Monument http://www.nps.gov/labe/supportyourpark/adopt-a-bat.htm Yellowstone National Park https://secure3.convio.net/ypf/site/Ecommerce?store_id=1241&JServSession Idr004=zb73t8fla2.app331a Lubee Bat Conservancy https://www.batconservancy.org/68.php National Cave and Karst Research Institute http://support.nckri.org/adoptabat and (dare I say it?) Organization for Bat Conservation http://store.batconservation.org/sponsorabat.aspx There may be more, but you get the idea. The market is getting saturated with "adopt a bat" programs. Of course, if anyone would like to "adopt" a bat or give one as a gift, we hope they will go to BCI first! -- Jim Kennedy -----Original Message----- From: Mark Minton [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, October 21, 2011 8:39 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [Texascavers] Adopt a Bat The conservation group Defenders of Wildlife is sponsoring a program for 'adopting' an endangered animal. One of the animals featured is the bat: <https://secure.defenders.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=wagc_bat>. You don't actually get a bat to take home (fortunately), but your money goes to further their protection. Mark Minton --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
