Rare Bat Spotted in Northern Colorado

Researchers suspect the evening bat's habitat may be expanding westward.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A rare evening bat, typically found in the central and southeastern United States, was recently discovered in Wellington, Colorado. This marks only the third time the species has been seen in the state, leading researchers to believe the bat's natural range may be shifting westward.

Why it matters

The discovery of the evening bat in Northern Colorado is significant, as the species has never before been documented this far west. This could indicate a change in the bat's migratory patterns or an expansion of its habitat, which would have implications for wildlife management and conservation efforts in the region.

The details

The bat was found on the ground in Wellington by a local resident, who initially misidentified it as a more common big brown bat. After being taken to the Northern Colorado Wildlife Center, the bat was correctly identified as an evening bat, a species typically found in the central and southeastern United States. The bat was slightly underweight and dehydrated, but is expected to be released back into the wild once it fully recovers.

  • The bat was found in Wellington, Colorado on Tuesday.
  • The person who found the bat had previously seen a similar bat in the area, but it had flown off before it could be identified.

The players

Michela Dunbar

A licensed wildlife rehabilitator and the executive director of the Northern Colorado Wildlife Center.

Colorado State University

Biologists at the university helped confirm the identification of the rare bat.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Biologists at the museum also assisted in confirming the bat's identity.

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What they’re saying

“We didn't even identify it correctly when we admitted it, one, because it didn't even cross our mind that that could've been a possibility, but two, because it looks extremely similar to many of our common species.”

— Michela Dunbar, Executive Director, Northern Colorado Wildlife Center

“It's unlikely that she was just blown off-course, because she shouldn't have been migrating at that point. She should've been in her wintering site. We're not thinking this is just a one-off.”

— Michela Dunbar, Executive Director, Northern Colorado Wildlife Center

What’s next

The Northern Colorado Wildlife Center plans to search the area where the bat was found to try and locate a roosting site and determine if there is a larger population of evening bats in the region.

The takeaway

The discovery of the rare evening bat in Northern Colorado could signal a shift in the species' natural habitat, which would have important implications for wildlife conservation efforts in the state. This unexpected sighting highlights the need for continued monitoring and research to understand how climate change and other environmental factors may be impacting the ranges of various animal species.