About Us | Overview

Vincent Wildlife Trust has been playing a key role in bat conservation in the Republic of Ireland since 1991. Between the years 1991-1994, in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Trust funded a full-time Bat Conservation Officer, based in Galway city, but who travelled throughout the country promoting bat education and conservation measures.

The Trust has maintained a permanent presence in Ireland since 1995. VWT staff work independently, but are in close liaison with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The majority of our work has been focussed on the bat species in Ireland, and in particular the lesser horseshoe bat.

The Trust was responsible for the first all Ireland otter survey conducted in 1980/81. Since 2011 we have been working on other mammal species including the Irish stoat and the pine marten. Where a need is identified, the Trust will initiate a research programme that will support other bodies working to safeguard the future of all mammals in Ireland.

Currently our work focuses on:

creating and managing reserves for the lesser horseshoe bat;
coordinating summer and winter surveys of the lesser horseshoe bat throughout its range;
promoting mammal conservation and research through lectures, walks, articles, radio and television;
offering bat related advice to the general public, local authorities, consultants and professional groups;
offering advice to the general public on the Irish stoat and pine marten.