For many individuals, the sight of bats hanging from timber sparks worry. Wildlife consultants say that worry is commonly primarily based on misconceptions.
Conservationists are urging communities to view bats not as harmful pests however as very important allies in defending ecosystems, supporting agriculture and lowering the danger of illness outbreaks.
In line with Richard Muvunyi, Head of Wildlife Well being and Analysis Coordination on the Rwanda Improvement Board (RDB), a nationwide consciousness marketing campaign seeks to teach the general public concerning the ecological and public well being advantages of bats whereas selling secure coexistence.
Rwanda is residence to greater than 54 bat species, lots of which offer important ecosystem companies.
Insect-eating bats devour 1000’s of mosquitoes and crop pests each night time, assist cut back agricultural losses and doubtlessly decreasing the unfold of mosquito-borne illnesses resembling malaria. Fruit bats, in the meantime, pollinate crops together with mangoes and avocados and disperse seeds that assist regenerate forests.
Globally, bats have existed for greater than 50 million years. In line with the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are greater than 1,500 bat species, making them the world's second-largest order of mammals. Analysis additionally reveals they pollinate greater than 300 species of fruit-bearing vegetation.
Specialists say conserving bat habitats is due to this fact not solely crucial for biodiversity but additionally for public well being, as wholesome bat populations assist preserve ecosystem steadiness whereas lowering the chance of zoonotic illness spillover.
Human disturbance will increase illness danger
Zoonotic illnesses are infections that unfold naturally between animals and people. They account for many rising infectious illnesses worldwide, together with Marburg virus illness, Ebola, COVID-19, extreme acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza and West Nile virus.
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Muvunyi mentioned Rwanda's first Marburg outbreak in late 2024 illustrates how disturbing wildlife can enhance illness dangers.
He mentioned mine staff in a collapse Nyarugenge District tried to push back bats, exposing themselves to the Marburg virus carried by the animals.
“Mine staff disturbed bats whereas making an attempt to kill and chase them away. That’s how the primary particular person turned contaminated with the Marburg virus. Though he survived after therapy, his spouse and child died,” Muvunyi mentioned.
He defined that bats naturally carry viruses resembling Marburg with out changing into sick as a result of the viruses stay largely contained inside their our bodies and colonies.
Nonetheless, when bats are pressured via actions resembling cave mining, destruction of roosting websites, deforestation, searching or dealing with, they produce stress hormones like cortisol, which may weaken their immune response and enhance viral shedding.
Contaminated bats could then launch extra virus via saliva, urine, droppings, blood or beginning fluids, contaminating caves, fruits, tree branches and different surfaces that folks or animals could later contact.
“When bats are left undisturbed, the danger of viruses spilling over to people is far decrease,” Muvunyi mentioned.
Selling secure coexistence
The notice marketing campaign, dubbed Neighborhood Orientation Conferences on Zoonotic Illness Threat from Wildlife, Mitigation, Prevention and Management Measures at Excessive-Threat Interfaces, has began in Bugesera and Rwamagana districts and can later increase to different components of the nation.
The initiative goals to assist communities defend bat habitats whereas minimizing illness transmission dangers. It additionally comes as Rwanda prepares to ascertain the Rwanda Nature Basis to strengthen wildlife conservation and the sustainable administration of protected areas.
Specialists emphasise that bats not often pose a menace to folks until their habitats are disturbed or people come into unsafe contact with them.
Slightly than killing bats that enter houses, Muvunyi advises residents to permit them to depart naturally at night time earlier than sealing entry factors.
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He additionally urged folks to keep away from getting into bat-inhabited caves for spiritual or leisure actions, chorus from searching or consuming bats, keep away from contact with bat saliva, urine or droppings, and put on protecting tools when cleansing contaminated areas.
Anybody bitten or scratched by a bat ought to instantly wash the wound totally with cleaning soap and working water for no less than quarter-hour earlier than searching for medical consideration.
The marketing campaign, organised by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Affiliation (RWCA) in partnership with RDB, targets native leaders, group well being staff, safety personnel, public well being professionals and wildlife conservation practitioners.
“Bats play important ecological roles, together with insect management, pollination and seed dispersal, but misconceptions proceed to gasoline pointless killing and destruction of their habitats,” Muvunyi mentioned.
“We are able to defend bats and their pure habitats whereas safeguarding public well being. Individuals ought to keep away from disturbing bat roosts unnecessarily.”
Communities starting to vary attitudes
The marketing campaign is already influencing perceptions in communities the place bats have lengthy been feared.
Jacqueline Uwamariya, a resident of Ruhuha Sector in Bugesera District, mentioned residents had just lately tried to eradicate bats utilizing chemical compounds and traps after noticing rising bat populations round forests and public areas.
“Now we perceive that disturbing bats may truly enhance the danger of illness transmission. We additionally learnt that destroying wildlife habitats is against the law and punishable,” she mentioned.
Dr Deo Ruhagazi, Deputy Chief Govt Officer of RWCA, mentioned the programme encourages communities to soundly coexist with bats as an alternative of persecuting them.
He mentioned Bugesera and Rwamagana have been chosen as a result of mapping recognized a number of areas the place human actions overlap with bat habitats, together with deserted unlawful mining tunnels which have turn into essential roosting websites.
“Individuals shouldn’t assume each bat carries illness or that bats must be killed every time they’re seen. Disturbing wildlife not solely harms biodiversity however may enhance illness dangers,” Ruhagazi mentioned.
Jean de Dieu Niyitanga, Veterinary Officer for Rwamagana District, mentioned myths persist, with some residents chopping down timber or burning bat habitats as a result of they imagine bats carry unhealthy luck.
He mentioned larger public consciousness would assist communities respect the ecological worth of bats whereas lowering battle between folks and wildlife.
Marthe Uwamugira, Govt Secretary of Ruhuha Sector, mentioned native authorities had beforehand tried to chase bats from timber round public places of work however have since adopted a special strategy.
“We’ve learnt that folks shouldn’t kill or disturb bats as a result of doing so could enhance the danger of illness transmission. Communities can safely coexist with bats,” she mentioned.
Most rising illnesses originate in animals
Jean Paul Mushayija, a One Well being specialist at FAO, mentioned about 75 % of rising infectious illnesses affecting people originate from animals, whereas roughly 60 % of all human infectious illnesses are zoonotic.
He warned that environmental degradation, deforestation, fast urbanisation, wildlife exploitation and poor waste administration are rising contact between folks and wildlife, creating extra alternatives for viruses to unfold.
“With out preventive measures, future outbreaks may turn into much more tough to manage,” he mentioned.
