Lesser Long-Nosed and Mexican Long-Nosed Bats Receiving Support from Bat Conservation International’s New Program Supported by XTO Energy 

Miami, Fla. – (Oct. 24, 2019) – The FPL Bat Lab at Zoo Miami officially opened today focused on providing solutions to protect the federally

We're thinking a lot about our community and hope you are staying safe.

As we confront the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic, we're making the health and safety of our staff and our supporters our top priority. In line with CDC guidance and Federal & state orders, we are taking several important steps to our operations:

• Public Events
  In response to CDC guidance regarding avoidance of large public gatherings, we are postponing the Bracken bat flight season. We will resume bat flight events when public health experts determine that large public gatherings are again safe.

Similarly, we have postponed or canceled all upcoming bat walk events at this time.

• Merchandise & Gift Fulfillments
  Our Austin, Texas headquarters is currently subject to a city-wide “Stay Home, Work Safe” order. With our Austin-based employees working from home, please allow several weeks for delivery of merchandise and adopt-a-bat purchases ordered after March 24. Please also allow extra time for the processing of gifts made through U.S. mail. We are grateful for your patience and ask you to consider making your contribution to BCI online via credit card on our website or through PayPal.
  
  
• Staff Operations & Field Work
  We’re taking the necessary steps to protect our staff while minimizing any disruptions to our mission. These precautions include:

• Adhering to all state “stay-at-home” orders. At this time, most state orders consider BCI’s work as non-essential.
• Adhering to Federal CDC guidance including:
  • Avoiding large gatherings such as events, trainings, and conferences
  • Avoiding/postponing non-essential domestic and international travel
  • Working remotely
• Adhering to National Wildlife Health Center and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidance to avoid contact with bats to prevent a potential spillback of the novel coronavirus from humans to wildlife

As a result of these precautions, we have postponed all fieldwork during the coronavirus pandemic to comply with public policies. Also, due to the global shortage of PPE supplies, we have suspended bat survey activities that require PPE.

We will continue to do all we can to respond to expert public health guidance, take the actions necessary to keep our staff and supporters safe and healthy, and update you on any changes.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we confront this shared challenge.