In the last days of the previous year, a DANUBEPARKS member, Kopački Rit Nature Park, in cooperation with Osijek Zoo, implemented the educational initiative “Bat Patrol” carrying out visits to primary schools in Osijek and the surrounding area to promote bat conservation.
Through this activity, young audiences were introduced to the importance of bats in ecosystems in an engaging, accessible, and age-appropriate way.
The “Bat Patrol” concept is designed as a one-time school visit by educators and guides from Osijek Zoo and the Kopački Rit Public Institution. During the visit, pupils took part in an interactive lecture focusing on bats as unique flying mammals and their role in nature.
As part of the initiative, each participating school received a wooden bat box, which was installed on a suitable tree near the school, providing a direct contribution to bat conservation efforts.
The educational workshop concluded with bat monitoring activities, contributing to a better understanding of bat species, population sizes, habitat use, and the impacts of human and environmental factors. The collected data support improved knowledge of bat behaviour, migration, reproduction, and diet.
Fifth-grade pupils of St. Anne Primary School in Osijek participated in the lecture and workshop, learning about bat ecology, the appearance and function of bat boxes, and the importance of installing them in nature.
The workshop was supported by the Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative, which promotes international knowledge exchange in wetland conservation and supports the implementation of the Ramsar Convention. The initiative contributes to raising awareness and strengthening cooperation in the conservation and restoration of wild islands along the Danube—important indicators of river dynamics and well-preserved ecosystems.