WORKSHOP - BAT ANESTHESIA AND TAG ATTACHMENT USING SUTURES (NON STUDENT)

Wednesday, October 14, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm The use of radiotelemetry and data logging tags by bat researchers has greatly enhanced our understanding of bat life history and ecology and has contributed to conservation efforts across the globe. Various tag configurations and attachment methods have been used successfully on dozens of species and until recently, most tags have been attached using glue or collars, with the latter method primarily employed on members of the Yinpterochiroptera. Each of these methods has pros and cons, and one drawback to using glue has been the relatively short attachment duration. This workshop will introduce participants to an attachment method that has allowed multi-month tracking and data collection. The goal of this workshop is to train 8-10 bat researchers to safely and humanely anesthetize bats and apply data logging tags or Motus tags to bats using suture. Dr. Castle and colleagues have been employing this technique since 2014 and have successfully tagged hundreds of wild bats. The longest known deployment has been 330 days, and ~25% of Motus-tagged bats have provided data for at least 250 days. The workshop will take place at the Colorado State University Foothills Campus, which is ~15 minute drive from the Hilton (transportation to the event will be via NASBR van or carpooling; lunch will be provided).