Available under the CBFP Website a position statement on Ebolavirus from Bat Conservation Africa, a network of individuals that promotes conservation of almost 300 species of African bat species and a partner of USFWS Africa Programs. Co-chaired by Dr. Webala of Kenya and Mr. Keita of Guinea, BCA is an African voice for bats and is attempting to counter misconceptions and to provide better information about the role of bats, or lack thereof, in the current outbreak in West Africa...

Key facts about bats

Bats are flying mammals that occur on all continents except Antarctica. There are nearly 300 bat species in Africa, making up 20% of African mammalian diversity. Bats provide many ecosystem services by pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds of many plants, thereby contributing immensely to reforestation, vegetation regeneration and thus supporting livelihoods of people. By consuming agricultural pests, insectivorous bats contribute enormously to agricultural productivity through reduction in crop loss and pesticide usage. Of course, this natural subsidy to agricultural productivity depends critically on healthy populations of bats.

For more information,  

contact BCA for more information regarding their position -