After Decades Of Decline, 4 British Bat Species May Be Staging Comeback - Independent

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After decades of decline some of Britain's most endangered bat populations appear to be making a comeback. Ever since Bela Lugosi flapped his cloak and flew off into the night as Count Dracula, the humble bat has suffered an image problem of almost catastrophic proportions, and these environmentally sensitive mammals have suffered as a result.

Throughout the 20th century, all 17 species of bat found in Britain saw their numbers fall dramatically as changes in farming methods, loss of habitat and human ignorance played a part in their downfall.

However, according to the latest figures from the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), it appears the tiny creatures are at last managing to shed their ghoulish image. Through a concerted effort to create greater public awareness of bats as gentle, harmless creatures, as well as the protection of more roosting sites and improved agricultural practices, the BCT says there has been a slight rise in at least four bat species - the lesser horseshoe bat, Daubenton's bat, Natterer's bat and the common pipistrelle bat.

BCT volunteers provide free advice to householders who find they may have bats hanging in their lofts, and run an out-of-hours service for the National Bat Helpline, offering free information and advice, leading to more understanding and better conservation. "This is good news for some of our bats and a testament to the enormous effort of thousands of volunteers all over the country," said Amy Coyte, chief executive of the Bat Conservation Trust. "The excellent, statistically defensible data enables us to measure progress in our efforts to conserve these wonderful animals, which contribute hugely to our natural heritage."

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