Trust gets a pat on the back for bat protection mission in Kolar Updated: Updated: Receives ‘Lesser-known Species Grant’ for efforts to conserve the endangered Kolar leaf-nosed bat Share Article AAA Though COVID-19 created a negative perception about bats among people, communities living close to the Kolar leaf-nosed bat say they haven’t faced any issues from them. | Photo Credit: File Photo Receives ‘Lesser-known Species Grant’ for efforts to conserve the endangered Kolar leaf-nosed bat The year that went by was not a good one for bats. They were looked at with suspicion for being the possible culprits that spread a virus that paralysed the world. But in a little-known part of Karnataka, efforts to conserve a supremely rare species of bats have earned praise and funding.