On August 29, the European Night of Bats will be celebrated - an event that has already become a tradition in our country. Since 1997, the initiative has been held annually at the end of August, focusing on the conservation of these unique animals. Its beginning is associated with the signing of the Agreement for the Conservation of Bats in Europe (EUROBATS), whereby initially 14 countries participated. Today, the Night of Bats is an international event with the participation of more than 30 countries around the world. Bulgaria joined the Agreement in 1999.

Considered bloodsuckers and fearsome nocturnal creatures, bats often remain misunderstood and distant from modern man. This in itself speaks of the need to talk about them more and to bring their lives out of the darkness of the night into the light of understanding and acceptance.

These flying mammals are highly vulnerable and endangered, but at the same time they are extremely useful for maintaining ecosystems. In fact, they are an indicator of the state of a given ecosystem, as their populations develop well only in healthy and stable habitats. In order to preserve and conserve bats, it is necessary to take into account some of the most common factors affecting their populations. These are mainly: loss of hiding places and habitats; increased use of pesticides in agriculture, which kill the insects on which bats depend for food; impact of wind turbines; increasing light pollution, etc.

There are 33 species of bats in Bulgaria that are insectivorous. Depending on their species preferences, most of them inhabit forests, others prefer caves, but there are also species that live in populated areas. During the nesting period, when females give birth and raise their young, and in winter, when they hibernate, bats gather in colonies. Depending on the habitat, the size of the colonies can reach up to 100000 individuals (for example in caves). Feeding mainly at dusk and at night, they emit ultrasounds that help them navigate in the complete darkness of the night and capture their prey without fail.