Uttar Pradesh forest department collaborates with locals to protect bats from scorching heat

While talking to ETV Bharat, forest conservation officer Deepak Kumar said that the department has collaborated with the locals to protect the bats from the scorching heat. Recently, hundreds of bats died due to heatstroke in the region.

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): After the post-mortem report of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly states revealed that the bats died due to excessive heat, the forest department has now collaborated with locals to protect the 'flying mammals' from scorching heat by providing them water and shelter.

IVRI Director, Dr R. K. Singh said that there were no traces of coronavirus or rabies in the dead bats.

"The bats have a high immunity level and are not affected by any pathogen -- virus or bacteria -- though they can be carriers of the virus," he said.

While talking to ETV Bharat, forest conservation officer Deepak Kumar said, " Postmortem report claims that the mass death of bats due to scorching heat in the area. Also, the medical officer who visited the spot said that there is only one tree in the village where hundreds of bats reside. Due to which the bats have to face scorching sunlight."

The officer further maintained that the postmortem report reveals that the falling of bat from a high altitude leads the deaths of the mammals.

"In order to protect them, we have collaborated with locals to provide water for them", added forest officer.