“The magnitude of the effect was surprising: with the lights on, there was about a quarter to an eighth of the activity – or number of bats flying along the route – compared to when the lights were off.” – Professor Gareth Jones
In a recent scientific study, researchers have discovered artificial light sources may alter a bat’s flight route for food. As nocturnal creatures, bats operate and hunt for food during night time. Biologist Emma Stone traced several flight patterns of nearby bat colonies and installed artificial outdoor light sources along the way. The lights themselves were intended to replicate sodium streelights found within most cities. As the aforementioned quote reveals, researchers found that the bats were sensitive toward the light and opted for less efficient / more dangerous routes. Whilst most bats utilize Echolocation, i.e. biological sonar, as a way of navigating, its directional and limited range hinders its overall effectiveness at detecting predators. Since bats travel in darkness, traveling in light would therefore make them more vulnerable to predatory attacks.
Light pollution not only affects humans but other creatures of the animal kingdom. Let us not become as ‘blind as a bat’ by installing more unshielded, uninformed, and unnecessary outdoor lighting, for Light pollution is 100% solvable.
