Climate change blamed for surge in bat population in Polish cities
The climate crisis impacts every aspect of life, affecting humans and animals alike. As the environment undergoes rapid changes, nature struggles to adapt. One notable example is the behaviour of bats in Europe. These creatures are now altering their habits in response to the shifting weather patterns. Instead of migrating, many bats opt to remain in cities throughout the winter.
The climate crisis is a stark reality, with rising temperatures becoming a global norm. People are increasingly forced to adapt to scorching, often unbearable heat. Wildfires in Greece, Canada, or Australia no longer come as a shock but are grudgingly accepted, while frequent downpours and floods in Europe have become events to prepare for. The focus is often on how these changes affect human life, but we tend to overlook that animals experience the same challenges.
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The warming of our planet profoundly impacts the daily lives of animals, leaving them as bewildered and disoriented as humans. Bears are emerging from hibernation too early, storks are uncertain about when to migrate to warmer climates, African ticks are appearing in Europe, and bats are choosing to stay in Polish cities rather than migrate for the winter. These changes reflect the fact that their traditional migratory patterns no longer make sense in the altered climate.
Bats stay in Polish cities for the winter
Bats are common in cities like Warsaw and Poznań during the spring and summer, as the warm and pleasant conditions allow these animals to thrive. However, this trend now appears to extend into the winter months, a direct consequence of climate change and the higher temperatures observed between November and February. Bats, finding the cities hospitable even during the colder months, no longer see the need to migrate, choosing instead to remain in urban areas where they can survive the winter comfortably.
"Bats typically migrate to places where they can overwinter, such as caves, tree hollows, or fortified structures. But with milder winters, they are staying in the city. Migration always involves risks—predation, collisions with cars, and even wind turbines," explained Błażej Wojtowicz, president of the Polish Society for Bat Protection, during a workshop in Kamień organised for International Bat Night.
In a media interview, Błażej Wojtowicz noted that the largest bat populations in Warsaw are found in Praga Park and Skaryszewski Park. He recounted an incident where he and his colleagues had to capture as many as 50 bats in a single flat, describing the situation as tense and nerve-wracking. The bats were untagged, leaving their origins a mystery.
Source: radiozet.pl
