BYU-Idaho's Fisheries, Range and Wildlife Society is partnering with the Idaho Falls Zoo and Harriman State Park to conduct bat research in the area.
The main goal of the research is to figure out why certain species of bats are declining in Idaho. They do this by monitoring the bats' maternity roosts, analyzing where bats migrate and setting up cameras and acoustic detectors.
There are 14 different species of bats in the gem state and about half are on the decline.
"They actually save millions, if not billions of dollars, in pest control every year," says Mikayla Khilobok, president of the Fisheries, Range and Wildlife Society at BYU-Idaho. "It's especially important with somewhere that's a lot more agricultural based like Idaho. They help keep the insect population in check so there aren't as many mosquitoes. They're very nice."
Harriman State Park is a coveted resource in bat research since it has been home to bats for more than 100 years.
In the park and at their other monitoring sites, Khilobok and her team set up acoustic detectors to listen to the bat’s calls. They are vital because bats make their calls at frequencies human ears are unable to hear.
Khilobok's team also uses motion-sensing cameras to take pictures every 15 minutes or every time there's movement.
Khilobok says staying on top of the research is important.
"It is up to students to do some of the maintenance, making sure that the equipment is functional throughout the season because if we miss even a night of data, then it can have a huge impact on the study," Khilobok said.
Students in BYU-Idaho's Wildlife Society and from Madison Junior High School have many opportunities to be involved in the project. They help check batteries and memory cards every two weeks and comb through thousands of pictures.
For any community members wanting to learn more, the Idaho Falls Zoo and Harriman State Park host ‘Bat Nights’ throughout the summer.
"The students are able to interpret the data that we have and show it to the public," Khilobok said. "A lot of the public doesn't even realize we have bats. The people that do realize usually say 'the bats roost up in my cabin and I have to clean their guano out every year.'"
The first Bat Night will be June 17 at the Idaho Falls Zoo. For tickets and more information, visit the Idaho Falls Zoo’s website.