Philenews

Mavrokolympos: The Water Has Returned, So Have the Bats

Published January 22, 2026, 08:20
Mavrokolympos: The Water Has Returned, So Have the Bats

Following the repair of the Mavrokolympos dam and the inflow of water into its basin, the return of the bats that had fled during the dam's emptying is being observed. The fruit bats, an endangered species, had a colony in the dam tunnel and are known for their ability to adapt to new conditions. Relevant authorities report that the bats had abandoned the area when the dam was drained, in order to avoid being trapped and killed. Now, with the restoration of their habitat, they have realized that the danger has passed and are gradually returning. The population of fruit bats at the Mavrokolympos dam was recorded from 2024 and numbered around 800 individuals. Experts emphasize that this species is particularly adaptable and uses alternative shelters when facing danger. The use of special detection devices (bat detectors) confirmed that no bats were trapped in the tunnel during the damage. After cleaning the tunnel, the area is once again suitable for the species to recolonize, and increased return traffic is already being recorded.