North Unit Hosts Presentation on Bats

Date: August 25, 2009

Bats fly through the night at Theodore Roosevelt National Park devouring flying insects. Visitors can learn the "bat basics" from Erin Gillam, PhD, at 9 p.m. CDT on Saturday, August 29 in the Juniper Campground amphitheater in the park's North Unit.

Dr. Gillam, an assistant biology professor at North Dakota State University in Fargo, is doing bat research at both the North and South Units of the park this summer. She is recording bat calls through portable sensors and capturing, tagging and releasing bats using mist nets. She will be sharing the information she has obtained this summer and will give a general program about bats that live in the area.

"Although many people think of elk and bison when they think of park wildlife, bats are a very important part of the park's ecosystem," said Superintendent Valerie Naylor. "We hope visitors and local residents will come to the program to learn more about these very special species." 

The program is free and open to the public. For further information on the North Unit and the park's interpretive programs, call [phone].