Visitors watch as a bat biologist examines a bat captured outside the cave entrance at Mammoth Cave National Park / NPS file

Thirteen species of bats (including three listed on the federal endangered species list) call Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky home. So, it’s fitting the park celebrates its favorite flying creatures of the night during the annual Bat Night, this August 31 (Saturday). Bat researchers and biologists will discuss bat biology, monitoring techniques, and provide on-site demonstrations of how they capture, evaluate, and record a bat’s health. Events and activities start at 1 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. CDT. 
 
“Bat Night is a great experience for visitors of all ages to get out and learn how important bats are to Mammoth Cave and our ecosystem,” said park Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “It is not often that we have an opportunity to see these amazing creatures up close with bat experts and biologists on hand to share their knowledge.”
 
Bat Night kicks off at 1 p.m. at the visitor center, where attendees can complete a Being a Bat Biologist Junior Ranger activity with bat biologist and Ball State University professor Dr. Tim Carter and some of his students. Artist, Emili Ryan, will also be on hand to provide face painting for our younger visitors. Activities at the visitor center will last until 3 p.m.
 
Presentations by bat experts will begin at the outdoor amphitheater at 2 p.m. Visitors are welcome to listen to Bats of Central America by Senior Biologist Price Sewell, Bat Speak – Identifying Bats by How They Communicate by Professor of Biological Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt and lead developer of the Sonobat Bat Call Analysis Software Joe Szewczak, Chasing the Night Flyers – Bat Stories from the Field by biologist Keith Christenson, and Bats of Mammoth Cave National Park and How We Study Them by biologist Dr. Tim Carter.
 
The live bat data collection will take place from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. on the River Styx Trail near the Historic Entrance to Mammoth Cave. Bat researchers and biologists will demonstrate how different tools are used to monitor bat movements and health. They will use night vision goggles, infrared thermal cameras, acoustic monitors, and mist netting to track and identify bats exiting the cave for the evening.
 
All Bat Night events are free, no reservations are required. Participants are advised to bring a small flashlight to illuminate the pathways to and from the Mammoth Cave Historic Entrance. Bat Night activities will be cancelled in the case of severe weather.
 
Bat Night is made possible by support from Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park who work in cooperation with the National Park Service to fund projects and programs that protect, preserve, and enhance the natural and cultural resources, and the visitor experience of Mammoth Cave National Park.
 
For a complete schedule of events, presenters, and Bat Night activities, visit the Bat Night page on the park's website. For questions about Bat Night, please contact e-mail or call 270-758-2180.