Read the latest positive news, breakthroughs, and inspiring stories about bats, curated daily by BrightWire.
A tiny cave myotis bat, never before recorded in Nebraska, turned up in an Omaha office after likely hitching a ride from the Southwest. The adorable stowaway is now safe with wildlife experts and making people smile with her pint-sized photos.
Ultrasonic speakers that humans can't hear are saving thousands of bats from colliding with wind turbines, reducing deaths by up to 78%. The breakthrough technology creates a sound barrier that helps bats navigate safely around spinning blades.
Two Scottish artists created an album using the ultrasonic calls of eight bat species, transforming echolocation sounds into electronic dance music. The project aims to help people overcome their fear of bats through rhythm and curiosity.
Researchers found that vesper bats have two separate antibody systems instead of one, a trait never seen before in mammals. This discovery could unlock new ways to fight viral infections in humans.
Despite widespread fears, there's no conclusive evidence linking bats to Ebola outbreaks, says leading wildlife biologist Dr. Paul Webala. He warns that destroying bat colonies could harm ecosystems that depend on these misunderstood mammals.
Iroro Tanshi discovered an endangered bat species unseen for 50 years, then won over a community that feared bats as witchcraft symbols to protect them from wildfires. Her grassroots campaign just earned her the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize.
Scientists discovered that air pressure changes around wind turbines were killing thousands of bats. A simple adjustment to when turbines start spinning has now saved millions of these vital creatures.
Bats protect young trees from insect damage by devouring nearly their body weight in pests every night, making forests five times healthier. Forest managers are now creating bat-friendly habitats to boost their declining populations and restore woodland ecosystems.
Researchers finally understand why a fungal disease has killed millions of North American bats while barely affecting European species. The discovery could save entire bat populations and billions in crop losses.
Tiny endangered bats are adapting to drought by venturing further north than ever before, and conservationists are planting thousands of agave plants to help them survive. DNA evidence just proved these incredible pollinators have expanded their range by 100 miles in search of the nectar that fuels their epic journeys.
A wildlife photographer on Christmas Island has captured the first-ever image of one of the world's rarest bats carrying its newborn pup mid-flight. With fewer than 400 of these fluffy "teddy bear" bats left in the wild, the photo shines a light on efforts to save the territory's last remaining native mammal.
Scientists discovered how bats fly through cluttered environments without crashing by detecting motion changes in sound waves. The breakthrough could help make drones and self-driving cars safer in complex spaces.