At night, some Kitchener residents are heading outside in search of rarely-seen creatures that many people have no idea inhabit the city.

And for once, we’re not talking about Pokemon.

City officials are trying to get a better handle on Kitchener’s bat population.

Long-term tracking of bats is underway at five of the city’s parks. Bat detectors are also being made available to members of the public interesting in finding the creatures in their neighbourhoods.

“Our volunteers go out to a nearby park, trail or natural area … and record bat activity,” says Josh Shea, the city’s natural areas co-ordinator.

Lisa Wood is one person who has taken the city up on its offer of loaning out bat detectors.

In her neighbourhood, she says, she’s found bats in expected places like Lakeside Park, and more surprising spots like near the busy intersection of Homer Watson Boulevard and Stirling Avenue.

“I find it fun,” she says.

“It’s like real-life Pokemon. I did not look out of place walking around Victoria Park with my bat-meter.”

Overall, the city is hoping to get more information about where in the city bats are present, and in what numbers.

Shea says bats are good to have in many areas because of their ability to control insect populations, and their presence can signal a healthy ecosystem.

“We want to make sure they’re still part of the parks,” he says.

With reporting by Nadia Matos