Photo : Jason Ondreicka
Hidden Residents of Rouge National Urban Park: Guiding Conservation through Bat Research
Rouge National Urban Park
Did you know?
Bats are the only mammals that can fly — and they do it in the dark!
Using a process called echolocation, bats send out sound pulses that bounce off surfaces like trees and buildings. These echoes allow bats to orient themselves, navigate their way around obstacles and find their prey.
Bat research in Rouge National Urban Park is an ongoing collaborative effort between Parks Canada and the Toronto Zoo’s Native Bat Conservation Program with the aim of preserving bat diversity across the park.
Rouge National Urban Park is home to seven bat species. Of these seven, three – the tri-coloured bat, northern myotis and little brown myotis – are protected under the federal Species at Risk Act and have become endangered due to white-nose syndrome.
About white-nose syndrome
White-nose syndrome was introduced to North America in 2006. First detected in Albany, New York, this disease reached Ontario by 2010. This fungus disrupts hibernation by causing infected bats to wake from torpor (a physiological state of controlled rest) more frequently than normal. This premature activity drains their energy reserves before spring, often leading to death from exhaustion and starvation.
Photo : Karen Vanderwolf
Research in action
One of the goals of the Parks Canada and Toronto Zoo research is to locate actual and potential habitats and food sources for bats in the park. These areas range from forest patches to wetlands and marshes spanning the length of Rouge National Urban Park.
To track bat activity, the Parks Canada team uses acoustic monitoring and visual sightings. This means they use handheld recorders that pick up the high-frequency sounds bats make when they use echolocation and convert them into sounds humans can hear.
At the same time, the Toronto Zoo team uses nets and radio telemetry. They gently attach tiny radio transmitters (like mini backpacks) to the bats, which send out signals that researchers can track with special receivers.
Together, these methods help scientists learn more crucial information about bats, such as their population size, where they live and how they use their habitats.
This research is essential for planning the park’s future. The data helps Parks Canada create detailed maps that guide land use and asset management decisions, such as how to responsibly decommission old and neglected buildings that may serve as bat habitat.
Where do bats roost?
Some bats, such as the northern myotis and tri-coloured bat, enjoy natural resting shelters or roosts such as holes in or behind the peeling bark of trees. Others, like the little brown myotis, prefer human-made structures such as barns and other buildings. These provide a dark, quiet shelter large enough for many of them to huddle together and stay warm.
While bats may be less visible than other wildlife in the park, they play a vital role in our ecosystem. This research ensures that conservation and development efforts in the park are informed, balanced, and responsive to the needs of species at risk.
Want to help?
Bat populations across North America are in decline due to threats like white-nose syndrome, habitat loss and climate change. Here are some things that you can do to help protect these incredible animals.
- Avoid spraying pesticides: pesticides kill the insects bats rely on for food, such as moths, beetles and mosquitoes. When these food sources disappear, bats struggle to survive. Toxic chemicals can also harm bats directly if they ingest contaminated insects.
- Do not disturb bat roosts: avoid entering caves or disturbing abandoned buildings as this may be where bats are hibernating. Disturbance can be deadly, especially in winter.
- Protect natural spaces: leave a dead tree standing when it is safe to do so, as these are perfect roosts for bats. Consider planting native vegetation to support inspect populations that bats can feed on.
- Install a bat box: bat boxes provide safe, sheltered spaces for bats to roost, especially in areas where natural habitat is limited. Place them in sunny spots (ideally south-facing), 3 to 6 metres off the ground and away from bright lights. Learn how to build a bat box from the Ontario Parks team.
Did you know?
Bats are a great natural pest control. One little brown myotis can easily capture 600 mosquitos in one hour. Imagine how many mosquitos there would be if we did not have bats!
Additional resources:
The facts about bats (PDF, 350 KB)
Related links
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