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Are bats spreading the coronavirus? This and other similar questions debunked by industry expert
28 Aug 2020
Photo by Todd Cravens on Unsplash
Since the emergence of coronavirus, bats have been at the centre of negative speculation globally - with over 5,000 active monthly searches about bats and coronavirus since March this year.
Typical questions the UK public are searching for on Google include:
While the source remains unclear, Ben Gardner, a Director at Ecology by Design - a leading independent ecology consultancy - has been keen to ‘debunk’ the ‘facts and fiction’ surrounding the divisive creatures:
“Bats are an important part of our biodiversity within the UK and worldwide. If everyone has a greater understanding about bats and the role they play, it’s hoped they’ll be less unwelcomed. With greater knowledge about bats in the UK and worldwide we hope that people will be more excited to spot a bat and less fearful to live alongside them.”
“Landowners and homeowners can do an awful lot to help bats. From creating a pond or wildflower area to attract more insects (that bats feed off), to installing a bat box or reducing the amount of lighting. They’re very slow breeders and long-lived therefore every little step to improve conditions for bats can have a cumulative impact on their populations and ecosystems as a whole.”
Typical questions the UK public are searching for on Google include:
- Are bats spreading the deadly coronavirus infection?
- What is the real cause of coronavirus, bats or snakes?
- Does eating bats cause coronavirus?
While the source remains unclear, Ben Gardner, a Director at Ecology by Design - a leading independent ecology consultancy - has been keen to ‘debunk’ the ‘facts and fiction’ surrounding the divisive creatures:
“Bats are an important part of our biodiversity within the UK and worldwide. If everyone has a greater understanding about bats and the role they play, it’s hoped they’ll be less unwelcomed. With greater knowledge about bats in the UK and worldwide we hope that people will be more excited to spot a bat and less fearful to live alongside them.”
“Landowners and homeowners can do an awful lot to help bats. From creating a pond or wildflower area to attract more insects (that bats feed off), to installing a bat box or reducing the amount of lighting. They’re very slow breeders and long-lived therefore every little step to improve conditions for bats can have a cumulative impact on their populations and ecosystems as a whole.”
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Next article: Five of our favourite springtime wildlife sights and sounds
Next article: Where can you watch owls in the UK?
Next article: Endangered beetle hides out at WWT Welney
Next article: BTO ask British public to participate in a national study of Tawny Owls and their calling behaviour this autumn and winter
Next article: The prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year (BPOTY) competition has announced the 2018 winners
