ZAGREB, 30 Aug (Hina) - Croatia is home to 35 bat species that regularly inhabit the country, all strictly protected by national legislation and international treaties, and 17 are listed as threatened species in Croatia's Red Book of Mammals, the Environmental Protection Ministry said ahead of International Bat Night.
International Bat Night is observed on the last weekend of August in over 30 European countries to raise public awareness about the importance of bats, their role in ecosystems, and the need to protect their habitats, under the framework of the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS).
In Croatia, bats inhabit a variety of habitats, ranging from forests and underground caves to urban parks and attics. Although bat populations are still relatively stable in the country, they face threats such as habitat loss and disturbance, pesticide use, and climate change.
Bats play a key role in maintaining balance in nature. By feeding on nocturnal insects, they provide natural protection for agricultural crops and forests from pests, thus contributing to a reduction in the need for pesticides. They are also sensitive bioindicators, meaning their decline or disappearance signals environmental issues.
Biologists underscored the irreplaceable role of bats in controlling flying nocturnal insects, such as mosquitoes and moths. A bat can consume several hundred mosquitoes in a single night.
By marking International Bat Night, the Ministry of Environmental Protection aims to remind the public that these animals are not dangerous but extremely beneficial and worthy of protection.
The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats, which protects all 52 European bat species, came into force in 1994, and Croatia joined in 2000 with the adoption of the Law on the Ratification of the Agreement.
Representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Green Transition participate in the meetings of the Agreement, where key resolutions for bat conservation are adopted.
Maksimir Park home to 13 bat species
Zagreb's Maksimir Park is a true haven for bats, home to as many as 13 different species of these unique flying mammals. The most common species found here belong to the genera Pipistrellus, Myotis, and Nyctalus.
The Public Institution for Nature of the City of Zagreb takes pride in the stable population of Bechstein's bat. This species is recorded in fewer than 20 locations across Croatia, and its population is declining across Europe due to human activity, particularly intensive agriculture, deforestation, and habitat fragmentation.
In many European countries, Bechstein's bat exclusively inhabits bat houses because its natural habitats have been destroyed. To provide additional shelter for these bats, 10 bat houses will be installed in Maksimir Park in September. These will serve as safe havens in areas where climate extremes have damaged natural shelters, as well as an educational tool for park visitors.
Citizens can also contribute to bat conservation by installing bat houses in their backyards, protecting bats that live in buildings from cats, and ensuring that any bats that accidentally enter homes can safely exit by opening windows and doors. If an injured bat is found, it is important to contact registered wildlife rehabilitation centres for assistance, as advised by the Public Institution for Nature of the City of Zagreb.
This weekend, from 10 am to 4 pm, guided tours of the Veternica Cave and educational programmes for families will be organised at the Medvednica Nature Park. Additionally, at the Zagreb Zoo, a fun and educational programme along with a tour will take place on Saturday from 7 pm.
At the Grabovača Cave Park, workshops for children, a bat detector walk, and a night tour of the Samograd Cave will be held on Saturday from 6 pm. On Sunday starting at 6 pm, there will be art workshops, a boat ride on the Large Lake, and a concert at the Mljet National Park.
On 4 September, from 6 pm, a fun and educational programme and a bat-searching tour will also be organised at the Brijuni National Park. Additionally, the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas of the Krapina-Zagorje County, in collaboration with the Krapina Neanderthal Museum and the Tragus Association, will host a fun and educational programme, primarily aimed at children, on 12 September, starting at 6 pm.
