Training resource managers
A researcher from Eastern Illinois University briefly holds a bat to determine its' age, sex, condition, weight and species. Photo by Jay Grabiec.
Indiana Bat
A small colony of a federally listed bat species, the Indiana Bat
Big Brown Bat acoustic recording
The first night of acoustic monitoring by the Illinois Bat Conservation Program
Research
Researchers study of a deadly bat disease, White Nose Syndrome
Ecosystem services
Bats provide important ecosystem services in the form of pest control
Nocturnal bat acoustic surveys
Acoustic driving transect at an Illinois nature preserve
What species?
Illinois' thirteen bat species are difficult to distinguish, with field identification requiring significant training & experience
Bat foraging
Bats feed upon night-flying insects, including crop pests and mosquitoes, helping to maintain the balance of nature
Mist Netting
Mist nets are used by researchers to temporarily capture bats, which are released after recording species, sex, age, and condition of the animal
Ultrasound
Bats use high frequency calls to help them navigate and capture prey in the darkness. Researchers are able to use these calls to identify bat species. Photo by Jay Grabiec.
