BYRON BAY 28°38’15.0”S 153°38’14.0”E
bees are less active. Without us, crops like guava, durian, and even chocolate-producing cacao might struggle to thrive. Think of us the next time you savor a bite of chocolate or sip on your morning brew. And then there’s our role as seed dispersers. Some of us are often called “forest farmers” because of our ability to regenerate forests. In Australia, we are the most important pollinators because of the vast distance we fly. As we eat fruit, we carry seeds far from their parent trees, dropping them in new locations to grow. In this way, we are architects of biodiversity, helping to maintain the balance of ecosystems that sustain countless other species—including you. Despite our contributions, we are often seen as harbingers of doom. Myths and folklore have painted us as vampires, witches’ familiars, or omens of death. While it’s true that a few species feed on blood, the so-called vampire bats of Central and South America usually target livestock, not humans, and their feeding habits even contribute to medical advancements. Did you know that a protein in vampire bat saliva, fittingly named Draculin, is being studied for its potential to treat blood clots and strokes? Fear of disease is another challenge we face. Like all animals, we can carry pathogens, but most pose no threat to humans. In fact, we are more at risk from you than you are from us. Habitat destruction, climate change, and hunting are eliminating bat populations worldwide. Diseases like white-nose syndrome, a fungal infection, have wiped out millions of us in North America alone. Yet, without us, insect populations could grow too much, crops could fail, and ecosystems could collapse. So, what can you do to help? The first step is simple: Learn to share your world with us. If you have a garden, consider installing a bat house, a safe haven where we can roost during the day. By giving us shelter, you encourage natural pest control and help your plants thrive. Avoid using harmful pesticides that can poison our food sources and damage the delicate balance of your ecosystem. Be cautious of the fencing you install, and the netting you use in your garden, becoming entangled in these materials causes us serious harm and can damage our fragile wings. You can also help by spreading awareness about our importance. Replace fear and myth about us with curiosity. Teach your children and friends about the wonders of Mother Nature, including creatures that live at night. Imagine a world without bats. It’s a world where crops fail, forests wither, and the night becomes a battleground against swarms of insects. It’s a world poorer in bio- diversity, beauty, and balance. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By protecting us, you protect the delicate web of life that sustains us all. We’re not asking for much. We’re not flashy or loud and don’t seek the spotlight. We’ll continue our nightly work as we always have, pollinating, scattering, and feasting. But perhaps the next time you see a shadow flit across the moon or hear the faint rustle of wings, you’ll pause and think of us not as creatures of the dark but as creatures of light—a light that shines in the quiet rhythms of nature while you sleep.
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MOTHER VOLUME FOUR
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