Focus on Hawaiian hoary bat Monday at Lyman
Focus on Hawaiian hoary bat Monday at Lyman
Thousands of years (and miles) removed from its North American ancestor, the Hawaiian hoary bat is one of only two endemic mammals and the only native land mammal in the islands. Listed as an endangered subspecies, it has its own fan website.
On Monday at 7 p.m. at the Lyman Museum, USGS wildlife ecologist Frank Bonaccorso will bring these tiny creatures out of the darkness and into the light, exploring the life and habits of ‘ope‘ape‘a, as the bat is called in Hawaiian.
Hear about their food habits, distribution in Hawaii, migration and reproduction, and how the bat may first have reached Hawaii from North America.
Weather permitting, after the program those interested may walk with Bonaccorso to Hilo High School’s football/track field to observe bats visually and with ultrasound detectors.
Admission is $3, free for museum members. Seating is limited to 65 persons on a first-come, first-seated basis. Additional parking is available at Hilo Union School.
The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum, located at 276 Haili Street in Hilo, is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For additional information, call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.