DTEK Tyligulska WEP, in collaboration with the Tyligul Regional Landscape Park, has launched a new conservation project aimed at preserving biodiversity and supporting bat populations in the Mykolaiv region. The initiative involves installing artificial roosts – special bat boxes – on the left bank of the Tiligul Estuary. This project is being implemented with the participation of a bat expert – Mykhailo Drebet, Head of the research department at the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park.
As part of the programme, the company specialists and the regional landscape park have installed 10 bat boxes in the woodland along the coast. Ten more batboxes are to be installed in the near future.
Tetyana Babich, Environmental Manager at DTEK Renewables, said: “Our company has been implementing environmental measures to protect biodiversity for several years already. This project is of particular importance, as all bat species in Ukraine are protected by the state, and the creation of safe artificial roosts will help bats find shelter to rest in conditions where natural roosts are scarce”.
The batboxes are installed on the edges of woodlands, near water and close to open steppe areas, choosing spots that are well lit by the sun, as excessive shade is less suitable for these animals. The structures are mounted at a height of 4–6 metres, ensuring there is clear space in front of the entrance, and are oriented mainly towards the south or south-east for optimal heating.
“Bats are an important part of the ecosystem, as they effectively regulate insect populations and serve as natural indicators of environmental health. The Tiligul Estuary is an ideal site for such a project, as the insect-rich food supply already makes this location an important ‘hunting ground’ for local bats. We are grateful to DTEK Renewables for its consistent support of nature and the implementation of important initiatives to protect birds and bats,” said Oleksandr Dyachenko, Acting Director of the Tiligul Regional Landscape Park.
This new environmental initiative combines several key areas, including practical nature conservation, scientific research and environmental education.
Once the batboxes have been installed, experts will begin regular monitoring of their occupancy, which will include visual inspections, identification of specific bat species, counting their numbers, and acoustic tracking of the animals’ activity near the roosts. In addition, the project will serve an educational purpose, as visitors to the Tiligul Regional Landscape Park will have the opportunity to learn more about bats and their vital role in the wild.
Through this project, DTEK Tyligulska WEP continues to consistently implement long-term environmental programmes and actively support the conservation of the region’s unique biodiversity.
As a reminder, at the end of May, specialists from DTEK Renewables, together with Mykhailo Drebet, Head of the research department at the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park, held lessons and masterclasses on bat conservation for pupils at the Krasnopillia and Novofedorivka lyceums in the Mykolaiv region.
