 Flying foxes. Fig.1 Indian flying fox. Courtsey: batworlds.com Bats were considered as,” Demon’s Angels”. They are unusual; flying at dusk and roosting upside down. Biologists have introduced sufficient evidence now for us to change that attitude. Bats carry deadly viruses including ebola,SARS etc. but they do not become sick. This has baffled virologists. Although colonies of bats have been destroyed in the recent years by man the scientists who have studied them say they cannot pass the disease causing viruses directly to man. On the other hand those who have studied viruses are of opinion that they are vital to our environment. They eat tons of agricultural pests in a single night. They pollinate flowers and help the plants by dispersing seeds and fruits.
Anthony King writing an article in the New Scientist says, quotes the following scientists. James Wood. University of Cambridge. “ Bats carry rabies virus yet they have developed immunity” Linfa Wang. University of Singapore. “Injecting bacterial toxins to animals normally triggers a reaction.When bats are injected they don’t get even a fever.It is hard to make them sick. Trying to control emerging diseases by killing bats may be the worst thing we can do” Reference. CLICK HERE to wach a webcast "Project Edubat – Education Taking Flight” to learn more about these important animals. |
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