In a nod to World Wildlife Conservation Day, San Diego residents have a reason to look up—literally. The San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife Program has released a hoary bat into the wild, complete with a tracking transmitter, marking the first time this technology has been used in the SoCal skies, according to the organization.
The rehabilitation story began on Nov. 14, when an adult male hoary bat was found during a storm and whisked away to the Bahde Wildlife Center. Treated and then temporarily benched due to seasonal torpor, a lethargic state that bats often slip into during the cooler months, the bat was eventually deemed fit to fly the coop. The transmitter attached to our nocturnal friend will help scientists collect migration and movement data, providing key insights, considering this species' rather secretive lifestyle in the treetops.
In a scenery that could make a nature documentarian weep, the bat was released back into the wilds of Carlsbad on Sunday. The location was near Agua Hedionda Lagoon, handpicked with input from "Stellaluna" creator Janell Cannon. Cannon, an avid supporter of bat conservation efforts, also snapped photos of the release and captured the bat’s echolocation calls with precise gizmos designed for the task.
There’s a special sense of anticipation amongst the research community, and for good reason. With a Motus wildlife tracking tower standing sentinel somewhere nearby, scientists are ready to intercept signals that could unravel the mysteries of the bat's sojourn. Will this creature hunker down for a winter nap or jaunt across the region, following the Pacific Flyway? Marie Bosch, DVM, MPH, Wildlife Medical Supervisor at the San Diego Humane Society, shared her excitement, saying, "This release is an exciting step forward for bat conservation in our region, Being able to track a species that is both migratory and arboreal will deepen our understanding of their needs and behaviors in Southern California," she told San Diego Humane Society.
For those who are not trained wildlife rehabilitators but still want to contribute to the welfare of San Diego's wild residents, Project Wildlife offers resources. The San Diego Humane Society urges anyone who encounters an injured, sick, or orphaned wild animal to visit their Wildlife Help Hub for expert advice on how to proceed.
