Bio-diversity

The aim of the project is to procect one of the most endangered bats in Europe - lesser horsehoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros). One of the big problems in protection of lesser horsehoe bat in Poland is insufficient identification of its occurance. It is estimated that lesser horsehoe bat lives on the area of 32 000 square likometre, its number is around few thousand. All habitats are located in the south of the country (mostly in the mountain or highlan area). Lesser horsehoe bat winters mostly in warm caves, in the summer it lives in attics of large buildings (usually in old churches and manors). In many cases intakes to such places are closed and bats are put in big danger of loss of their habitats. If the most valuable habitats are not protected-the population of lesser horsehoe bat in Poland can decrease significantly. To achieve long-term project results, actions in few areas should be taken. The most urgent task is active protection of bat habitats in south Poland. Project includes protection of most valuable bat habitatas. It is planned to protect intakes, install platforms for guano and repair roofs of the most valuable buildings-habitats of bats. Second task is to search for bat habitats in Pogorze Ciezkowsko-Roznowskie and Beskid Wyspowy area and prepare bat protection plan. This area is still not enough catalogued, athough it is known for huge population of bats. It is also planned to prepare leaflet "Bats of Carpathian mountains", install information boards near to bat habitats (16) and organize trainings for potential local leaders and social guardians of bats.

Poland