The fictional DC Comic Superhero, Batman, relied on the sinister aspect of bats to strike fear into criminals. Despite this fictional story and many other myths about bats - they are, in fact, an important part of the ecosystem. They eat insects, performing pest control, while also pollinating species of plants and spreading seeds when feeding on the fruits and flowers of certain plants. Over five hundred species of plants rely on bats for pollination, including: durian, banana, mango, guava, cocoa and agave. Without them, these plant species would not thrive. In some countries, such as the UK, bats are an “indicator species” and the stability of their population is monitored to look for changes in biodiversity of the region.
The Sudwala Team continues to drive our conservation project of the Percival’s Short-Eared Trident Bar Bats, by building more bat hotels throughout the Resort. The bats’ numbers have also shown positive growth since Management secured an onsite cave for the bats’ use.
Despite all the sinister associations, bats are wonderful, fascinating creatures that perform an essential role in the environment, adding greatly to the wellbeing of humanity. Let us continue to work together to safeguard this species for many generations to come.
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