Bats, long misunderstood and often feared, are being recognised as some of the most
important yet overlooked animals for ecosystems, agriculture and human wellbeing.
Marking International Bat Appreciation Day, conservationists are calling for greater public
awareness of the critical role bats play in sustaining biodiversity and supporting livelihoods
across Tanzania and beyond.
Despite their negative image in folklore and popular culture, bats are key “ecosystem
engineers.” Insect-eating bats, for example, can consume between 500 and 1,200 insects in
a single night, many of them agricultural pests and disease carriers. This natural pest control
helps reduce crop damage and lowers the need for chemical pesticides.
Fruit-eating and nectar-feeding bats also play an essential role in pollination and seed
dispersal. By spreading seeds across long distances, they support forest regeneration and
maintain plant diversity. They also pollinate economically important crops such as bananas,
guava, cashews and cacao, directly contributing to food security and rural incomes.
In Tanzania, bats are especially significant. The country is home to around 80 recorded
species, making them one of the most diverse groups of mammals locally. Among them is
the African straw-coloured fruit bat, known for its large seasonal migrations that help
regenerate forests such as the Miombo woodlands.
Bats also contribute to soil health through their droppings, known as guano, which act as a
natural fertiliser rich in nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. This supports plant growth
and sustains both forest and cave ecosystems.
However, experts warn that bat populations are declining at an alarming rate. Globally,
about 24 per cent of bat species are now threatened or near threatened with extinction. In
Tanzania, species such as the Tanzanian woolly bat and Hildegarde’s tomb bat are already
classified as endangered.
The main threats include habitat loss due to agriculture, logging and urbanisation, as well as
pesticide use, disease outbreaks and human persecution driven by myths and
misinformation.
Conservationists stress that many common beliefs about bats are false. Contrary to popular
myths, there are no vampire bats in Africa, bats are not aggressive, and they rarely pose a
risk to humans when left undisturbed. In fact, they are clean animals that groom themselves
regularly and play a role in reducing insect-borne diseases.
“Far from being scary or evil creatures, bats are our allies, not our enemies,” said Peter
Knights, CEO of Wild Africa. “Their survival is inseparable from our own, and they deserve
greater understanding and protection.”
As Tanzania joins the rest of the world in observing International Bat Appreciation Day, the
message from experts is clear: protecting bats is not just about conserving wildlife, it is
about safeguarding ecosystems, agriculture, and the future of human livelihoods.
