Raben Group Supports Bat Project of BUND Heidelberg

Bats – myth-enveloped mammals and hunters of the night. However, contrary to widely spread horror stories, these fluttering creatures are crucial for the ecological balance of nature. That is why the Raben Group is supporting the project “Heidelberg Bats are Looking for Friends” of the conservation organization BUND Heidelberg – relying on support from the region.

(Mannheim/Heidelberg) The animal welfare project is part of the “Eco2Way Tour,” which the European logistics provider Raben has initiated this year to celebrate its 90th anniversary. For two months, partners, customers, and interested parties have the opportunity to choose between three environmental initiatives on the website of the owner-managed company. In addition to the protection of bats, the rescue of white storks in the Czech Republic and the cleaning of beaches in Italy are also options.

Voting is open until November 30 at https://www.raben90years.com/eco-voting/. The project with the most votes will receive a grant from Raben. “We are aware of the impact of road traffic on the natural environment. Therefore, we want to reduce CO2 emissions annually and promote environmental projects with concrete measures,” says Raben Managing Director Ewald Raben.

Improving Habitats

The project “Heidelberg Bats are Looking for Friends” aims to improve the protection of the bats still found in Heidelberg and their habitats. The BUND Environmental Center is committed to protecting known summer and winter roosts in residential areas and forests, as well as improving and continuously increasing the availability of roosts. This includes Heidelberg Castle, which is one of the most significant winter roosts in Northern Baden.

The wall joints in the towers and vaulted corridors of the casemates are particularly suitable as shelters. “Currently, we also manage around 250 bat boxes in the city forest and care for injured and weakened animals. Additionally, we check and clean the summer and winter roosts and are the most important regional contact point for all questions regarding bats,” says Brigitte Heinz, Managing Director of BUND Heidelberg. The BUND now wants to extend its measures for the protection of bats to the entire Rhine-Neckar region and the Odenwald. With the support of the Raben Group, 100 bat roosts for 100 animals each could be established at forest huts and hunting stands. Through contacts with forest owners and forestry offices, a new network for the protection of this endangered group of animals could also be established.

Final Stage of the Eco2Way Tour

Choosing one of the conservation projects is the final stage of the Eco2Way Tour this year. For its round birthday, Raben takes visitors of the website on a journey through places that have suffered greatly from human influences. The route led through eleven countries where Raben is represented and through 21 endangered locations presented by the company’s employees.

Further information is also available at: https://youtu.be/5HCtKtpIEP4

Photo: © Raben Group / Image caption: During the video shoot in front of Heidelberg Castle (l.r.): Alessa Ferenczi (Raben), Michael Göbel (Raben), Brigitte Heinz, Managing Director of BUND Heidelberg