The Provincial Government and Memorial University of Newfoundland are collaborating on a new study of bats in this province that will give wildlife officials a greater understanding of this wild species and its behavior patterns.

The study will be concentrated on the west coast, where the highest population of bats can be found. It will look at the different types of bat habitats (forested, agricultural and residential) to determine what species live there, their numbers and any diseases present in the local population, including bat rabies.

"Relatively little is known about bat biology and ecology in the province," said Dr. Hugh Whitney, provincial veterinarian with the Department of Natural Resources. "Like many of the province�s mammals, bats here may exhibit unique patterns of behaviour and this is of great interest to biologists."

It is assumed that both the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) will be found, but other unknown species may also live here. As bat rabies is thought to exist wherever there are bats, it is also important to study the local bat population as possible vectors of rabies. Rabies in bats has been found at very low levels in this province.

"Most cases of human rabies in Canada and the U.S. come from unreported human contact with infected bats," said Dr. Whitney. "The species of bats that we know to exist in this province are quite small in size and are not often associated with rabies in humans because their teeth can�t penetrate human skin, however, other species such as cats and foxes may be at risk. If a pet brings home a dead bat or is seen playing with it a bat, it should be reported to your local veterinarian."

Although the study is being concentrated on the west coast, researchers are asking the public to report any dead bats discovered anywhere in the province to their local conservation officer or wildlife office so it can be collected and tested for identification purposes. The carcass can be collected in a plastic bag, without touching it.

The study is a result of the mutual interest of the province and Memorial University�s biology department to study bat populations, behaviour and disease to a greater extent. A similar approach has been taken in the past in studying the presence of Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus in the province.

For more information, please contact Dr. Whitney at 709-729-6879 or Shelley Pardy Moores, senior wildlife biologist with the Department of Environment and Conservation, at 709-637-2018.

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2007 08 15                                           9:45 a.m.