The Kitimat Valley Naturalists are hoping 'bat condos' encourage nearly 2,000 bats to return to northwest B.C. after their maternity roost was demolished over the winter.

Kaslo, B.C., scientist Cori Lausen, author of Bats of British Columbia, holds a bat as part of her research. Her face mask and gloves are for the bat's safety, not just hers.

The condo was designed by local naturalist Kiyoshi Takahashi. It cost $12,000 and more than 200 volunteer hours to build. Local naturalist Kiyoshi Takahashi has been advocating for bats for years.

The Kitimat Valley Naturalists are hoping two new "bat condos" will encourage nearly 2,000 bats to return to northwest B.C. after their maternity roost was demolished over the winter. The animals had ...

The group also recently added a special bat “condo” at Colony Farm Regional Park that can house up to 1,000 of the small flying mammals. The condo was designed by local naturalist Kiyoshi Takahashi.