Wildlife Conservation and Protection

For more than two decades, researchers knew of just a single, male individual of the greater mouse-eared bat that would repeatedly hibernate in an unused railway tunnel in Sussex, U.K. This male bat became known as the “loneliest soul in Britain” since he was without a companion.

But researchers have now found that he isn’t alone after all: they’ve confirmed two individuals of the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) hibernating in the U.K.

Munn added the find shows the importance of preserving heritage sites, which have become a refuge for many species, especially bats that need to hibernate undisturbed.