Critter Catchers winging way into Great Lakes Bat Festival

Oakland County-based animal control firm appearing at 9th annual Great Lakes Bat Festival July 30-31 at Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills

FEBRUARY 15, 2010

Ortonville, Mich. — Looking for information on all things bat-related in Michigan and beyond? The search ends this summer, when experts on the world’s only flying mammal descend upon the Cranbrook Institute of Science July 30-31, attending the 9th-annual Great Lakes Bat Festival in Bloomfield Hills. Critter Catchers Inc., founder Dave Kugler will be one of the exhibitors on hand, sharing insight on humane methods the animal control firm employs to keep bats out of homes.

“Critter Catchers has a long-established affiliation with the Organization for Bat Conservation (OBC), the non-profit organization responsible for making the bat festival possible,” said Kugler, president, Critter Catchers, Inc. “There was simply no question in my mind that Critter Catchers should have a presence at the festival, helping answer questions raised by homeowners. It’s possible to safely exclude bats from the attic, basement or walls of a home, with no harm caused to these animals.”

The mission for the upcoming Great Lakes Bat Festival is to convey one of the OBC’s core beliefs, according to OBC director Rob Mies. Bats are critical to ecosystems across the globe, and humans should take steps to today to protect them.

Festival guest speakers include: Janell Cannon, author/illustrator of the award-winning book “Stellaluna”; Fiona Reid, author/illustrator of many mammal field guides; and Bill Schutt, author of the critically acclaimed book “Dark Banquet”. Additionally, presenters include scientists from Eastern Michigan University, Ball State University, and Western Michigan University; field biologists from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Department of Natural Resources; and professionals from the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Exhibitors include: Critter Catchers, Inc., the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the USDA Natural Resource Commission, the National Wildlife Federation, Michigan Karst Conservancy, Bat Conservation of Wisconsin, The Nature Conservancy and more.

There will be a special presentation by a keynote speaker July 30 at 7 p.m. Presentations, live animals, hands-on activities, crafts for kids, and exhibits will provide fun and environmental education July 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. An evening family BBQ with live music follows from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The festival will finish with a bat science experience at the Rouge River from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

More than 2,000 people across southeast Michigan are expected to attend this year’s event. Suitable for all ages, the event is free with museum admission. For more information about the bat festival, contact OBC director Rob Mies: (248) 645-3239.

By: Phil Stayhue

Exuberance Communications, LLC