Capturing Endangered Bats in a North Carolina Swamp | Mist Nest Survey | NC Wildlife

Robertson Millpond is considered the most challenging site NC Wildlife biologists survey for bats in the Piedmont region. Three of the five nets sit deep in the swamp, only accessible in waders. Technicians must slog through waist-deep water, freeing their boots from the suction of mud with every step. A kayak serves as a water taxi, ferrying gear and staff to the farthest net stations.

The rare tricolored bat, state listed as endangered, was captured at Robertson Millpond Preserve for the first time in six years. Earlier this season, the crew netted the first recorded tricolored bat on Vance County Game Lands. This endangered bat is more than a local discovery; it’s a piece in a much larger puzzle.

Collecting data lays vital groundwork for bat conservation. Reliable information guides monitoring procedures, shapes research strategies, and ensures the right management actions are taken for vulnerable, state-listed species.

Dr. Rada Petric, PhD Research Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is interviewed. She is part of an 8-person survey crew, including the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces.

Get the full story and photo series: https://www.ncwildlife.gov/blog/2025/...

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