Bat World Sanctuary
Bat World Sanctuary was founded in 1994 as a non-profit[1] rescue-rehabilitation center and sanctuary operated exclusively for bats. Based in North Texas, the organization is "dedicated to improving the lives of bats in captivity, educating the public about bats to dispel myths and encourage conservation as well as providing worldwide rescue efforts for bats. Bat World Sanctuary has published both scientific and popular literature about bats, including the first standards for captive bats, a document that was subsequently utilize by a worldwide accrediting organization, the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries."[2] It is one of several bat conservation organizations active in the United States.[3] and has been described as "the largest bat rescue center on the planet."[4]
The organization is volunteer staffed and donation supported. The sanctuary provides medical treatment for hundreds of injured and orphaned bats each year, with 80% saved and returned to the wild. Its objectives are;
- Rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned bats.
- To provide a permanent sanctuary for non-releasable bats.
- Promoting the humane treatment of captive bats in zoo and research environments.
- Protecting wild bat colonies from abuse and destruction.
- Promoting bat conservation through education.
- Increasing public awareness about safety issues regarding the inappropriate handling of bats.
The Texas based organization has fifteen satellite affiliates around the U.S. for local rescue operations and is in the process of opening more branches.
Initial discoveries by Amanda Lollar, Founder and President of Bat World Sanctuary and Bat Conservation International led researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M to conclude "that male bats create songs to attract females and warn other males to stay away."[5]
Bat World Sanctuary has been recognized as the world leader in bat rehabilitation for almost two decades.[4] Each year they rescue thousands of bats that might otherwise die and engage in activism to end the abuse and destruction of bats. Lifetime sanctuary is given to non-releasable bats, including those that are orphaned, injured, confiscated from the illegal pet trade and retired from zoos and research facilities. Bat World Sanctuary is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
References
- ^ "Where the Bats Are". Dallas Morning News. Dallas, Texas. July 28, 2002. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "McKinney Performing Arts Center presenting Stellaluna". Pegasus News. Dallas, Texas. January 16, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Kunkle, Fredrick (August 12, 2007). "Don't turn a blind eye to bats, rescuer says: Unless you see their faces, 'you'll never know they're cute'". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco. Retrieved APril 16, 2011.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b "Nothing Scary About Bat World: For A Texas Rescuer, Bats Are Loveable". CBS News. October 31, 2003. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ Patel, Vimal (August 29, 2009). "Males bats' mating songs could be valuable for research". Bryan College Station Eagle. Bryan-College Station, Texas. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
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