Monitoring bat hibernation colonies
19/05/2023
The continuation of multi-year research and monitoring of bats in the Park boundaries and surrounding areas
During January 2023, monitoring of bat hibernation colonies was performed in the area of Krka National Park. The monitoring included inspections of underground caves Topla pećina, Velika pećina Kaočinka and Miljacka II, and was conducted by the company Geonatura d.o.o.
Field research was conducted in accordance with the international guidelines of the Agreement to protect European bat populations (UNEP\EUROBATS), and applied other relevant expert and scientific literature. The research was conducted with the aim of collecting data on bat populations that use these underground shelters during the hibernation period, the dynamics of their use by bats, their abundance and species composition, with an assessment of the state of conservation of the underground shelters, with recommendations for further activities.
During the performance of monitoring, variations were observed in the past concerning the species abundance and composition, particularly during the summer period, which is why research on colony hibernation was performed on only a few occasions and only in certain shelters (Miljacka II cave, Topla pećina cave). The recorded variations in abundance and composition of bat species over the years can be a reflection of true variations, or a reflection of the methods used and scope of research conducted. Also, during winter, it is possible that a share of the bats temporarily retracts deeper into the caves, into inaccessible channels and fissures. However, the results of the study conducted in 2023 suggest that the bats do not use these shelters in such large numbers when forming hibernation colonies, with usually 20 or fewer individuals per colony.
During research conducted in January 2023, the presence of four bat species was recorded: Myotis capaccinii (long-fingered bat), Rhinolophus euryale (Mediterranean horseshoe bat), R. ferrumequinum (greater horseshoe bat) and R. hipposideros (lesser horseshoe bat).



Monitoring
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