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Despite the ecological advantages that bats offer, many people hold negative perceptions about them, often associating them with disease or danger. The journey towards changing these attitudes starts with education and understanding. Initially, conservationists faced challenges in persuading communities to protect bats rather than eradicate them.
One successful approach involves prioritizing relationships over confrontations. Conservation leaders learned to "win friends instead of battles." By actively listening to people's concerns—even those who may have harmed bats in the past—conservationists have found effective ways to engage communities. This includes providing support for resolving issues that may arise due to bats, fostering a sense of community ownership over conservation efforts.