Bat Houses and Boy Scouts at Global Wildlife Center!
Global Wildlife Center is ecstatic to announce a new education and conservation initiative on safari! Bat Houses!
Global Wildlife Center has been eager to bring bat houses to safari for some time, but we just needed the right community group to help.
In Fall 2024, Global Wildlife Center partnered with Scout Troop 111 to build six bat houses to eventually be erected on property. “I was thrilled to communicate with Troop 111 about bat house installation. Because of their help, we were able to move this long-awaited project right along!” comments Director of Animal Programs, Dr. Kanyon McLean.
The Scout Troop built the bat houses during one of their monthly scheduled meetings. Then on Saturday, April 12, 2025, the boys and parents of Scout Troop 111 arrived bright and early to finalize the houses by securing them to the 16’ tall poles and then installing the poles in the field. With the oversight of Global’s Operations Team, erection of the poles was seamless.
The Scouts were challenged to use their creative and problem-solving skills during this project. Several of the Scouts practiced using power tools. This was a teamwork experience, relying on each other to read instructions, plan a course of action, and perform heavy lifting in a unique environment.
In addition, the Scouts earned their Veterinary Medicine badge during this endeavor. Our very own veterinarian, Dr. Kanyon, spoke with the boys at one of their monthly meetings to discuss the many types of veterinary medicine, the human-animal bond, and what it takes to become a vet. Then, while visiting Global Wildlife Center for the bat houses, the Scouts were able to visit with Dr. Kanyon and see firsthand the equipment and space she uses to perform medicine for the 2,000+ animals on property. As a Merit Badge counselor for the Northshore District, Dr. Kanyon enjoyed partnering with Troop 111 for their Veterinary Medicine badge.
There are over 1,400 species of bat, with 12 species found right here in Louisiana. Most bat species feed on insects, fruit, nectar, or pollen. Bats are often misunderstood creatures, but they play a significant role in their ecosystem, including dispersion of pollen and seeds and controlling pests. Did you know that bats are credited with saving our own U.S. agriculture an estimated $3.7 billion annually in pest control? Not bad for the only mammal capable of true flight! Bats face many threats including habitat degradation, souvenir trades, wind turbines, and disease.
At Global Wildlife Center, we are committed to conservation both abroad and in our own backyard which is why we are excited to share our new bat houses, all visible while on safari! Located in the sun, close to a body of water, and facing south-southeast, we are hopeful that our neighborhood bat friends will find refuge in their fancy new homes.
A final shout out again to Scout Troop 111 for all their hard work and dedication to helping us with this important initiative. We enjoyed the experience and look forward to future collaborations together!
Please come safari with us and keep your eyes open for our new bat houses!
Found a sick or injured bat? Visit Silent Voices Wildlife Rehabilitation, a Louisiana 501(c)(3) nonprofit, at www.SilentVoicesRehab.org for more information.
Want additional information on bats? Visit Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries at www.wlf.louisiana.gov.
