Description
What it is
This is the plush option in the Adopt-A-Bat program at Jewel Cave National Monument. The toy is a 12-inch brown bat with outstretched wings spanning 22 inches, weighing 7.6 oz. It belongs to The Petting Zoo’s Wild Onez line, made from an average of 17 recycled plastic bottles per toy, and carries a “Recycles & Educates” tag with sustainability information. A portion of the adoption fee goes directly to bat resource management at the monument, and the rest covers the plush and program costs.
About the adoption program
Adopt-A-Bat puts money straight into the work of protecting the bat colonies that hibernate inside Jewel Cave each winter. Staff run an annual mid-winter survey to track the population: the 2023-2024 count was 602 bats, up from 570 the prior year, and the 2018 count exceeded 1,400. Following those numbers year to year is how the park catches early signs of decline.
About the bats at Jewel Cave
The cave supports 10 bat species, which together control insects across the Black Hills, eating beetles, moths, flies, and mosquitoes. They hibernate in the cave’s steady 49-degree passages. Two species here hold special federal conservation status, the Northern myotis and the Townsend’s big-eared bat, and the historic entrance is gated and closed October through May to keep the colonies undisturbed.
Specifications
- Size: 12 inches body length, 22-inch wingspan
- Weight: 7.6 oz
- Material: recycled plastic bottle fill; plush exterior
- Care: surface washable
- Manufacturer: The Petting Zoo (Wild Onez line)
Who is this for
Visitors to Jewel Cave who want to support the caves they just walked through, and gift buyers looking for a stuffed animal with a story. A bat plush made from recycled plastic and tied to a specific federal conservation program gives a kid something real to ask about. The Wild Onez line is designed for children ages 3 and up.
Frequently asked questions
Where does my $35 go?
A portion goes to bat resource management at Jewel Cave National Monument. The rest covers the plush, shipping materials, and program costs.
Which bat is the plush modeled after?
It is a brown bat, consistent with the most common bats at Jewel Cave. It is a realistic representation rather than a species-specific replica.
Is the plush safe for young children?
The Wild Onez line is designed for children ages 3 and up and the plush is surface washable. As with any stuffed animal, use your own judgment for children under 3.
Does buying this support national parks?
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
