Bat Conservation International

Protecting Bats Globally

Join the cause

 
Horizonline Pictures

We have the power

At Bat Conservation International, we’re fiercely passionate, expert conservationists and scientists who are leading the charge to ensure the worldwide survival of these extraordinary mammals.

Bats lead us to the best opportunities to protect nature anywhere in the world. Bats are vital to our world’s ecosystems and economy, but nearly 200 species are threatened with extinction.

The future needs all of us, now more than ever.

About Us

Our mission is simple — to end bat extinctions worldwide.

 

Night Watch: A Worldwide Mission

In the locations where we work, our team is the last line of defense in saving bat species from extinction.

In this video series, three vital cave conservation projects come to life, showcasing efforts to protect some of the worlds most imperiled bats and the communities in which they live — Jamaica, Fiji, and Kenya.

Watch the Series

The Bat Pub

The Facts

We won’t stop as long as bats are threatened.

44
Years in operation with a global mission for bat conservation
Jamaica Team poses for a photo in the jungle
Dr. Winifred Frick

The Facts

We won’t stop as long as bats are threatened.

97
Countries with BCI supporters
Wyatt McSpadden

The Facts

We won’t stop as long as bats are threatened.

1500+
Known bat species and counting
Hoary bat, Michael Durham/Minden Pictures

The Facts

We won’t stop as long as bats are threatened.

20M+
Bats protected annually
Mauritius Fruit Bat
Jacques de Speville

The Facts

We won’t stop as long as bats are threatened.

$23B
and more, in agricultural and human health savings for the planet every year
pallid bat, J. Scott Altenbach

Pressing Needs

Bats face mounting threats every day. Your support ensures that we can be where bats need us most.

  • •Saving Bats Over 40 Years
  • •Charity Navigator Four Star Charity
  • •Charity Watch Top-Rated
  • Dozens of naked baby Natalus mexicanus bats and some adult bats cling to a cave wall.
    Urgent!

    Their Only Nursery Is In Danger

    Deep inside Brandon Hill Cave, mothers cling to their newborn pups—yet this last safe birthing site is now threatened by development. Without protection, these families could lose their only home. Your action can help save them.

    Learn More
  • CRUCIAL NEED

    Join The Roost

    Monthly givers are the lifeline for lasting, sustained conservation efforts. Bat conservation doesn’t happen in a day, but with your ongoing support, we can achieve long-term solutions to the challenges facing bats around the world.

    JOIN
  • URGENT

    Barely Hanging On

    Some of North America’s once most abundant bats have lost more than 90% of their populations. If we don’t take urgent action, they could disappear within our lifetimes. Will you help them survive White-nose Syndrome?

    Donate

Protecting Bats Globally

Select a region to learn about our initiatives

Indonesia

Mentor Bat- Indonesia

Bat Conservation International is partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to co-lead the 2024 and 2025 MENTOR-Bat Program. MENTOR-Bat uses the USFWS MENTOR Model, which brings together teams of early-career professionals for training, mentoring, and implementation of projects that address major threats to wildlife populations.

Cameroon

Mentor Bat- Cameroon

Bat Conservation International is partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to co-lead the 2024 and 2025 MENTOR-Bat Program. MENTOR-Bat uses the USFWS MENTOR Model, which brings together teams of early-career professionals for training, mentoring, and implementation of projects that address major threats to wildlife populations.

Comoros

Conservation of Livingstone’s Fruit Bats in Comoros

The goal of this work is to establish long-term incentives for landowners to protect critical habitat for one of the largest fruit bats in the world.

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Colombia

Mentor Bat- Colombia

Bat Conservation International is partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to co-lead the 2024 and 2025 MENTOR-Bat Program. MENTOR-Bat uses the USFWS MENTOR Model, which brings together teams of early-career professionals for training, mentoring, and implementation of projects that address major threats to wildlife populations.

Guinea

Designating Critical Bat Habitat in Guinea

The goal of this work is to create new protected areas for critical bat habitat while enhancing management and restoration guidelines for the existing 132 designated areas.

Jamaica

Cave Conservation in Jamaica

The goal of this work is to save two species of critically endangered bats, the Jamaican flower bat and Jamaican funnel-eared bat, from extinction.

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Peru

Rediscovering a Lost Bat in Peru

The goal of this work is to rediscover the lesser yellow-shouldered bat and implement habitat protection and restoration measures to save this endangered bat from extinction.

Brazil

Cave Conservation in Brazil

The goal of this work is to utilize legal protection measures and tax incentives to provide long-term protection for 70 important cave roosts, protecting up to 82 species of bats.

Mexico

Mexico Cave Conservation

The goal of this work is to establish legal protection of 28 critical cave sites, safeguarding 45 species of bats totaling more than 10 million individuals across Mexico.

Mexico and the United States

Agave Restoration Initiative

The goal of this work is to prevent further population declines of the endangered Mexican long-nosed bat and promote the recovery of nectar-feeding bat species through landscape-scale agave restoration.

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Fiji

Saving the Fijian Free-tailed Bat from Extinction

The goal of this work is to protect the only known maternity roost for this endangered species of bat and establish a management plan to conserve the wider area surrounding the cave.

Fijian Free-Tailed Bat
North America

Wind Energy

Reduce bat fatalities at wind energy facilities to protect vulnerable species

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North America

North American Bat Monitoring Program

Leverage data and collaborate with partners to improve bat conservation across North America

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North America

White-nose Syndrome

Develop and implement strategies to help bats survive White-nose Syndrome

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India

Establishing Priority Bat Conservation Initiatives in India

The goal of this work is to identify and establish long-term bat conservation initiatives in India that stabilize and recover rapidly decreasing populations.

Malaysia

Creating Federally Protected Areas for Flying Foxes in Malaysia

The goal of this work is to create the first protected area in Malaysia for the protection of the endangered Malaysian flying fox.

Mozambique

Protecting Bats from Guano Harvesting in Mozambique

The goal of this work is to establish sustainable guano extraction guidelines that can be replicated across sites.

Kenya

Saving Hildegarde’s Tomb Bat in Kenya

The goal of this work is to protect the last two remaining cave systems used by Hildegarde’s tomb bats as well as an additional cave site which is under imminent threat of destruction and supports hundreds of thousands of bats.

Rwanda

Protecting Endangered Bats in Rwanda

Having already rediscovered the critically endangered Hill’s horseshoe bat in Nyungwe National Park, the goal of this work is to ensure continued protection for this species and expand conservation efforts to Rwanda’s other national parks.

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United States

Abandoned Mines

Protect and assess subterranean features for bat roosting habitat

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United States

Bracken Cave Preserve

Protect America’s most economically valuable bat at Bracken Cave Preserve

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United States

Conservation of Public Lands

Implement bat conservation on 258 million acres managed by the US Government

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Colombia

Habitat Banks in Colombia

The goal of this work is to protect an estimated 500 hectares of key habitat for the endangered Antioquian sac-winged bat, including 12 caves, that benefits an additional 55 species of bats.

United States

Saving the Florida Bonneted Bat

The goal of this work is to protect and enhance Florida bonneted bat populations through the creation of new roosting habitat and protection of foraging habitat so they are de-listed from the Endangered Species Act.

More

Protecting Bats and Habitats Worldwide

Bat Conservation International is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end bat extinctions globally. Bats are vital to our world’s ecosystems and economy, but nearly 200 species are threatened with extinction.

Our expert scientists and conservationists identify the greatest needs around the globe and develop comprehensive protection plans that include partners and community members to provide the best opportunities for bats to thrive. Bats lead us to the best opportunities to protect biodiversity anywhere in the world.  

READ MORE

Our Mission Is Simple — to End Bat Extinctions Worldwide.

Night Watch: A Worldwide Mission

In the locations where we work, our team is the last line of defense in saving bat species from extinction.

In this video series, three vital cave conservation projects come to life, showcasing efforts to protect some of the world’s most imperiled bats and the communities in which they live — Jamaica, Fiji, and Kenya.

Watch the Series

Global Bat Conservation That Starts With Science

Global bat conservation depends on facts, field research, and long-term commitment. Every project begins with understanding how bats live and interact within their habitats. That knowledge guides smart decisions that support both wildlife and local communities.

As a bat conservation nonprofit, Bat Conservation International works alongside scientists, land managers, and partners across continents. Each effort reflects careful planning and respect for the landscapes and communities involved. Conservation succeeds through collaboration.

A Bat Conservation Built on Action

We earn trust through work on-the-ground. Bat Conservation International supports endangered species through targeted interventions that focus on specific threats facing bat populations. These projects protect critical roosts, stabilize fragile habitats, and reduce risks tied to human activity.

Protecting bats also protects farms, forests, and water systems that families rely on every day. Conservation here connects directly to food security and economic stability.

Understanding the Animals That Share Our World

Bats exist on every continent except Antarctica, filling roles that support ecosystems everywhere. Learning the basics helps people see bats as valuable neighbors rather than pests. Bat Conservation International provides clear, science-based information that explains bat behavior, diets, and habitats.

Understanding bats leads to better coexistence. Simple actions like protecting roost sites and supporting habitat conservation contribute to global bat conservation in meaningful ways.

Explore Bat Species Across the Globe

Each bat species tells a unique story. Discover Bat Conservation International’s bat profiles that highlight physical traits, behaviors, and conservation status. These profiles reveal the incredible diversity within the bat taxa.

Learning about individual species builds appreciation for the challenges they face. Bat conservation becomes personal when people recognize the specific needs of bats living near their homes or in distant ecosystems.

Discover Bats Through Responsible Observation

Seeing bats up close changes how people think about them. Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight, and with more than 1,500 species worldwide, no two experiences feel the same. Bat Conservation International helps people discover bats in ways that respect wildlife while opening the door to real learning.

Through live cave cameras, video stories, and sound technology that makes bat calls audible, people can experience bats in moments that usually stay hidden. Local bat viewing sites, community events, and conservation programs offer opportunities to observe bats responsibly and build a personal connection. These experiences spark curiosity, support conservation efforts, and invite people everywhere to take part in global bat conservation.

Scientific Publications That Support Evidence-Based Action

Bat Conservation International scientists publish peer-reviewed scientific publications that inform conservation strategies worldwide. These resources support researchers, policymakers, and conservation groups working to protect bats and habitats.

Transparency and shared knowledge remain core values of our bat conservation organization. Publishing research helps raise conservation standards across the field.

Get Involved Today

When you stand with us, you’re helping bats and their habitats thrive. Your support funds hands-on conservation projects, research, and community programs that make a real difference for species around the world.

There are lots of ways to get involved. Make a donation, become a member, or explore other giving options. Every action connects you to global bat conservation and helps protect these amazing creatures for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bat Conservation

What does Bat Conservation International actually do?

We study bat populations, protect habitats, and work with communities to reduce threats. Bat Conservation International combines research, fieldwork, and education to support bats and ecosystems worldwide. This work helps maintain natural pest control, pollination, and seed-dispersal systems that benefit habitats and agriculture.

Why should the public care about bat conservation?

Bats help control insect populations around homes and farms. Supporting bat conservation reduces reliance on chemical pest control and promotes healthier outdoor spaces for families. Conservation efforts also protect habitats that support clean air and water.

How does Bat Conservation International protect endangered species?

Bat Conservation International identifies species at risk and applies targeted conservation actions. These efforts include habitat protection, population monitoring, and collaboration with local partners who manage land and wildlife.

What is global bat conservation, and why does it matter?

Global bat conservation addresses threats that cross borders, such as climate change and habitat loss. Protecting bats worldwide supports ecosystems that people rely on for food production and environmental stability.

Can families support bat conservation at home?

Families can support bat conservation by learning about local species, protecting natural habitats, and supporting conservation organizations. Simple awareness helps reduce fear and encourages coexistence.