Stop by the entrance to the tunnel. Peer into the darkness. Before you, lies an artificial underground tunnel, once dug to study volcanic rock. Over time, people abandoned it, and nature transformed the tunnel into a safe haven for bats. Today, it serves as their winter ‘hotel’, where, thanks to the constant temperature and humidity, they are able to weather the cold season.
In Ukraine, according to scientists, there are 28 species of bats, all of which are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. Here in the Park, you can encounter 20 species (12 species confirmed by captures, 8-9 species identified through acoustic monitoring).
Have you ever wondered why bats sleep upside down? It makes it easier for them to take flight. Unlike birds, bats cannot take off abruptly from the ground, so before flying they simply let go with their claws and immediately spread their wings.
Bats are among the most beneficial inhabitants of the forest. In a single night, one bat can eat hundreds of insects, helping nature to maintain its balance.
At the Zacharovanyi Krai National Park, scientists are constantly studying bats. To do this, they use batcorders – special devices that record ultrasonic signals. Humans cannot hear these sounds, but it is precisely through them that scientists determine which species inhabit the park and how their numbers are changing.
Listen carefully. A bat might be flying right over you at this very moment. You’ll hardly hear it, but it heard you long ago. That’s right – in the silence and darkness, yet another secret of the Zacharovanyi Krai is revealed.