As Halloween approaches and spooky decorations are being put up, Richmond bat enthusiasts are supporting the real flying version by launching education events during International Bat Week, lasting from Oct. 24 to 31.
Richmondites are being encouraged to visit the Richmond Nature Park this week to enjoy a bat display and participate in a scavenger hunt, introducing people to information and fun facts about bats.
Bats could be among the most misunderstood animals on Earth since some people still believe that they drink blood, as seen in vampire movies.
In fact, only three of the more than 1,300 bat species in the world are vampire bats, explained Richard Kenny, community facilities programmer at the Richmond Nature Park.
In fact, bats play a vital role in maintaining our ecosystem's health by working hard at night to eat insects, such as mosquitoes, protecting farmland and forest from insects, explained Kenny.
"The key thing about bats is that they are natural pest control…they can catch hundreds and thousands of mosquitos and insects every night. So the more we can protect them, the healthier our environment will be," said Kenny.
According to the City of Richmond's website, B.C. has the highest diversity of bats in Canada.
Of 18 species of bats found in Canada, 17 live in B.C., and 10 can be found in Richmond.
The Richmond News previously reported that Richmond is the first city in the Lower Mainland - and only the third in B.C. - to be designated as a "bat-friendly community."
Only eight people are allowed in the building at any one time to see the bat display at Richmond Nature Park due to COVID-19 safety restrictions and masks are also required in public indoor settings. Entrance to the Nature Park is by donation.
