Night hike through Sodalis Nature Preserve planned for Friday

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A night hike through Sodalis Nature Preserve, lasting approximately two hours along a two-mile pave path, is planned for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 12. The female bats at the preserve are in their maternity colonies, preparing to give birth this summer. Should the trail and parking lot become inaccessible, the hike will be canceled.

Volunteer members of the Mississippi Hills Master Naturalists will guide this free nature program. Reservations may be made online at http://www.hannibalparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.

Sodalis Nature Preserve was named for the myotis sodalis (Indiana bat) species that was discovered in the park. Bat scientists estimate about 215,000 of the bats hibernate in the abandoned limestone mines.