HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hawaii animal rescue organization is bringing bats into the light.<\/p>\n
The Hawai\u2019i Wildlife Center<\/a> is asking the public to help document sightings of the rarely seen \u2018\u014dpe\u2019ape\u2019a, or Hawaiian hoary bat. <\/p>\n The endangered species is the only living land mammal native to Hawaii.<\/p>\n The call to action comes ahead of International Bat Week, which takes place from Oct. 24 to 31.<\/p>\n Wildlife conservationists say Hawaiian hoary bats play an important role in the state\u2019s ecosystems by feeding on flying insects, like moths and beetles. <\/p>\n \u201cMany people may not realize that Hawaii has its own native bat species or how important these animals are to our environment,\u201d said Linda Elliott, founder and CEO of the Hawai\u2019i Wildlife Center. <\/p>\n The Hawai\u2019i Wildlife Center, which provides medical treatment and rehabilitation for native birds and bats, only cares for about one or two Hawaiian hoary bats each year. <\/p>\n The bats they treat often require specialized attention in a race against time. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen a bat comes into our care, time is especially critical,\u201d Elliott said. \u201cThey can become dehydrated quickly and have delicate wings, so getting them the right medical attention as soon as possible can make a difference in their recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n There are more than 1,400 species of bats in the world, which make up about 20% of all mammal species, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior. <\/p>\n Although flying squirrels can glide for short distances, bats are the only mammals that can actually fly. <\/p>\n Since bats typically have poor vision and are most active at night, they use echolocation to navigate and find food, which is a biological ability to bounce high-frequency sound waves off objects to estimate their distance. <\/p>\n What to do after spotting a Hawaiian hoary bat<\/p>\n Residents are encouraged to record any Hawaiian bat sightings by using the free iNaturalist app, a platform for users to document wildlife observations, or click here to submit via the iNaturalist website<\/a>. <\/p>\n Uploading photos and locations can help researchers identify habitats across the islands.<\/p>\n The public is also asked to look out for downed or injured \u2018\u014dpe\u2019ape\u2019a.<\/p>\n Do not try to handle or feed a bat that appears injured, grounded, or unable to fly.<\/p>\n Instead, the Hawai\u2019i Wildlife Center recommends residents keep their distance, secure nearby pets, and contact the center for guidance on safely containing the animal at (808) 884-5000.<\/p>\n