The Bat Conservation Group is dedicated to the conservation of the approximately 65 species of insectivorous bats and the seven fruit-eating bats found in southern Africa. This is achieved through generating increased public participation in bat conservation, and education and awareness programmes.
Bats are broadly divided into two groups: the fruit-eating bats or Megachiroptera (which feed on ripe fruit and nectar and play an important role in pollination) and the insect-eating bats or Microchiroptera (which feed on mosquitoes and a host of garden and agricultural pests).
Bats are generally misunderstood and consequently feared by humans. They have been portrayed as evil, blood-sucking, disease spreading creatures. The truth is that bats are not blind, do not get tangled in your hair, are not messengers of evil and witchcraft, do not attack humans or nibble their ears at night and seldom carry rabies or any other disease. There are also no ‘vampire’ bats in southern Africa.
Although bats can be a nuisance in roofs and are often considered undesirable, there are humane non-lethal methods which can be used to exclude them. It is illegal to poison bats and transgressions can be punished by up to six months imprisonment or a R40,000 fine. If you are having a problem with bats in your house, please contact the Group for assistance or go to our ACTIVITIES page.
Bat Facts....
Bats actually play an important role in our ecosystems, are vital to leading an environmentally-friendly life-style and save our farmers millions by simply eating insects and pollinating plants. In fact, a colony of approximately 300,000 bats at the De Hoop Cave near Bredarsdorp, are reported to eat up to 100 tons of insects a year!
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