Vermont Launches “Got Bats?” Campaign

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is seeking information on summer bat colonies around the state.

Vermont’s cave-bat species continue to struggle due to the deadly effects of White-Nose Syndrome. As a result, two species were added to the state endangered species list last July, the little brown bat and the northern long-eared bat. Little brown bats prefer to raise their young in warm attics and barns over the summer. To learn more about the size and location of colonies around the state, the Fish & Wildlife is relying on citizens to report groups of bats found in buildings this summer.

“When White-nose Syndrome hit, Vermonters were a tremendous help to the Fish & Wildlife Department by reporting sick and dying bats,” says state wildlife technician Alyssa Bennett. “These reports helped us track the progression of the disease. Now we are calling on Vermonters again to help us monitor a species that lives so close to many of us but has declined to only 5-10 percent of their former population. By mapping summer colonies across the state, we hope to gain better understanding of their health and develop a plan for the little brown bat’s conservation and recovery.”

The “Got Bats?” campaign will continue throughout the spring and summer. Vermonters are urged to report bat colonies living in buildings by filling out a “Bat Colony Reporting” form by going to “You Can Help Vermont’s Bats” on Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s homepage (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) or by contacting Alyssa Bennett at 802-786-0098.

In addition, biologists are seeking citizen scientists to help monitor local colonies. Instructions for volunteering are on the website, along with information on White-nose Syndrome, rabies, bat houses, and other frequently asked questions. The department also provides technical assistance to homeowners seeking to safely exclude unwanted colonies from their home.

Contact Alyssa Bennett at the Rutland regional office, 271 North Main Street, Suite 215, Rutland, VT 05701, by phone at 802-786-0098, or via email at alyssa.bennett@state.vt.us.