The federally endangered grey bat is inhabiting local storm tunnels in Southeast Kansas. This is unusual - and creates a risk for bats because they’re not protected from people by cave gates.
Grey bats became federally endangered because of the loss of habitat. It started in the 1970s when people started attacking their caves. If one cave is disturbed, that could mean thousands of bats are exposed to danger and harm. In the 1980s, biologists started creating cave gates to protect the bats, which was proven effective.
Kansas law prohibits moving an endangered species from its habitat.
Pittsburg State University biology professor Andrew George says the storm tunnels are not protected with cave gates that normally protect the bat species - which can lead to people discovering the bats.
George and one of his former students are studying the habitats and behaviors of the species in Southeast Kansas. He says the bats are incredibly fascinating creatures.
“They use echolocation, which is remarkable in its own right. They can fly around at night, you know, going like 30 miles per hour, and catch a tiny insect on the wing,” added
Braidy Hunt studied the species under Dr. George when she was a student at Pittsburg State University. She just finished working with the Missouri Department of Conservation doing ‘bat surveys’. Through her work, she traveled throughout the state to understand what species are inhabiting parts of Missouri.
Grey bats, for example, inhabit trees and caves - more specifically limestone caves in the Missouri Ozarks.
“We're just lucky enough that a colony has just kind of scooted over a little bit somewhere along their timeline and just decided to take up residence in Kansas,” added Hunt.
Hunt presented her findings on October 30 at the Sperry-Galligar Audubon research center.
The goal of the presentation was to spread general information to the public about grey bats.
George is optimistic about the progress of the grey bat species. But other species are not as lucky. White Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that’s been killing hibernating bats. Three species, little brown bats, northern long-eared bats and tri-colored bats, declined by more than 90% across the eastern US by 2018.
The disease gets the name from the visible white fungal growth on infected bats' muzzles and wings. The real damage is on their wings, which are essential for flight, exchange, circulation and water balance.
George said there’s a common misconception that all bats carry rabies. But in reality, rabies is very rare even in bats. According to him, people can get rabies from any mammal in the United States.
The correlation between bats and rabies can cause fear for some, but George assured there’s nothing to be afraid of.
“So a lot of us who work in you know, who are biologists, we think animals are valuable just because they exist, just because of what they do, and bats are really special,” added George.
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