Bat Week celebrates ecological importance of mammals worldwide

Bat Week, observed from October 24 to 31, 2026, serves as a global celebration of bats, which comprise 20% of all mammal species. While bats provide essential ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dispersal, and mosquito control, they remain poorly understood in many regions.

In the United States, the Bureau of Land Management is hosting a beauty contest featuring eight bat species named after Hollywood stars to highlight their environmental importance. Contestants include the hairy-legged vampire bat, named after Betty White, and the Mexican greater funnel-eared bat, named Chappell Flown after pop icon Chappell Roan.

Global conservation efforts vary by region. In India, a nationwide assessment revealed that while the country is home to 135 known species, many remain data deficient or threatened, with a significant shortage of dedicated researchers. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the Finding Franklin Bats community project is utilizing volunteers and Indigenous staff to survey native species and increase awareness among rural landowners.