Feldman Ecopark Centre of Cheiroptera Rehabilitation carried out the event of the solemn release of bats on the island of Khortytsia in Zaporizhzhia. Several hundred locals gathered on Scythian camp, the highest point of Khortytsia, in order to take part in the release of 400 common noctules, which were rescued in Zaporizhzhia and underwent rehabilitation in Kharkiv.
If the similar events are already habitual for the residents of Kharkiv, and this year, the bats were released in Feldman Ecopark for the fifth time, for the nature lovers in Zaporizhzhia it was the first opportunity to become closely acquainted with the bats, to learn more about these animals, to hold them in their hands and to help them to fly for the first time after the hibernation.
According to the animal advocate in Zaporizhzhia Olesia Kulyk, a group of common noctules was found during the repair of a balcony in one of condominiums and brought to her. As she was not able to help such a big number of animals herself, she contacted the Centre of Cheiroptera Rehabilitation (as she has already asked advices on assistance rendering to the bats before). The animals were promptly evacuated to Kharkiv, where they obtained the necessary assistance and were accommodated for winter. “I’m very grateful to the Feldman Ecopark Centre of Cheiroptera Rehabilitation and I hope for the further cooperation. If we find numerous groups of bats in the future, we will definitely ask assistance in Kharkiv again,” Olesia Kulyk emphasized.
“The rescue of common noctules in Zaporizhzhia is the first similar experience of the Centre. Such a long distance transportation of the animals was a peculiar challenge for us, and we’ve coped with this task. We decided to release these common noctules here, not far from their hibernation place. It is also a wonderful occasion to show these beautiful animals to the residents of Zaporizhzhia,” the head of the Centre of Cheiroptera Rehabilitation Anton Vlashchenko told.
He noted that the specialists, who are able to help bats in trouble, must be available in different cities. “We will help the activists, who are ready to handle this problem, with both advices and food for the bats, and we are also planning to open the branches of the Feldman Ecopark Centre of Cheiroptera Rehabilitation,” Anton Vlashchenko noted.
