The specialists of the Feldman Ecopark Centre of Cheiroptera Rehabilitation shared unique working experience with foreign colleagues at the international conferences that took place at the end of the last month. The head of the Centre Olena Prylutska presented report on the results of the project on Cheiroptera preservation in Kharkiv at the “From monitoring to implementation” conference of the Ukrainian projects on the basis of the Rafford Nature Protection Foundation, the British charitable organization supporting significant practical projects on environmental protection in the different countries of the world.
“This event, important for national scientific community took place on the basis of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and brought together project managers from all Ukraine as well as participants from Turkey, – Olena Pryutska told. – This is one more possibility for us to present the researches and practical practices concerning relationship of people and bats in the megalopolis where they live side by side. Besides, some conferees had an opportunity to visit the Centre of Cheiroptera Rehabilitation and to get acquainted with our pets closer”.
The report of Victor Kovalyov, the specialist of the Feldman Ecopark Centre of Cheiroptera Rehabilitation on an annual Scientific symposium in Kiev was devoted to the issue “A man is a bat” and potential problems connected with their coexistence. 400 Ukrainian biologists and 10 foreign guests took part in it, and the report of the Kharkiv citizen received positive reviews of experts and was awarded with diploma “For the best report”.
“Not only qualified animal protection activists, but also wide Ukrainian audience realize the importance of activities for the conservation of Cheiropterans. Recently, we have visited the Lutsk zoo where our colleagues this year rescued and rehabilitated 18 common noctules. Besides, we visited the East European National University where we had opportunity to communicate with teachers and students, – Victor Kovalyov told. – We found many supporters among them. The geography of Cheiroptera rescuers spreads, negative stereotypes in public consciousness are fading – this is a very good sign that in the near future bats in Ukraine will feel safe”.
It should be reminded that Ukraine’s first Centre of Cheiroptera Rehabilitation was opened in Feldman Ecopark in 2013. It carries out systematic work that is unique for all Eastern Europe. Annually our animal protection activists rescue, bring up and return in nature hundreds of Cheiropterans found in houses and on winter streets by partial citizens. All bats of Ukraine are listed in the Red Book therefore their rescue is the important direction of protection of wilderness and biodiversity. In 5 years of existence, the Centre rehabilitated about 10000 Cheiropterans of 6 species. The annual release of bats takes place in the spring in the territory of Feldman Ecopark. In 2018, such release turned out record – more than 2500 Red Book animals returned to the natural habitat.
