The BC Community Bat Program and its North Island chapter are reminding residents to leave bats alone as the animals become more active this time of year.

August is when young bats have learned to fly and may begin venturing away from their maternity roosts.

That can lead to more sightings of bats resting on buildings, fences, umbrellas and other exposed surfaces.

There are at least 15 species of bats in British Columbia, and bats are protected under the BC Wildlife Act.

Heather Thomson with the North Island Community Bat Program says if you see a bat resting on a wall or other vertical surface, the best thing to do is give it plenty of space and keep children and pets away.

The bat will usually fly away on its own in the evening.

If the bat is in a busy area, residents can place something nearby, such as a pylon or chair, to prevent people from accidentally disturbing it.

The public is also being reminded never to touch a bat.

If you find a bat on the ground, it could be dehydrated, injured or sick, although it could also be a young bat that has fallen from a roost or is still learning to fly.

The Community Bat Program recommends visiting bcbats.ca or calling the bat toll-free line at 1-855-9BC-BATS for instructions.

The program is also asking residents to report bat activity and sightings, which can help researchers track local populations.

This summer, about 50 volunteers took part in the annual BC Bat Count, monitoring 16 local roost sites.

The counts help provide information on how bat populations are doing from year to year.

The North Island BC Community Bat Program is also encouraging anyone who has bats on their property to get in touch and contribute to the ongoing monitoring effort.

To learn more, visit BC Community Bat Program.