An important step to slowing the spread of disease and understanding how the disease is affecting bats is knowing where they live. Because bats often live in cliffs, caves and hard to reach places, they can be difficult to find. Outdoor enthusiasts including climbers and hikers, can play an important role by reporting their bat sightings. A new video, “Explorers for Bats”, explains how climbers and hikers can help document their sightings while at the same time, not harming the bats. In the video, wildlife managers, bat experts and climbers are interviewed, each providing information about bat behavior, habitat use, populations in established climbing areas and how those who want to conserve outdoor recreation are invested in bat conservation. Climbers are provided with guidelines for when they encounter bats and also how they can climb in areas without contributing to the spread of the fungus. The interviews take place in spectacular settings on Federal lands in Maine and Utah.

Ravenswood Media produced “Explorers for Bats” in collaboration with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program and Climbers for Bat Conservation, the National Park Service and Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The film was funded by a grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, administered by the Wildlife Management Institute.