A conservation group in the United States

"solely" means "only", so replace it with the simpler term and see if "only because...." makes sense to you.

persecuted ?

"chased away", "hunted"; almost (but not quite) exterminated!

A conservation group in the United States is trying to change the long-standing image of bats as frightening creatures. The group contends that bats are feared and persecuted solely because they are shy animals that are active only at night.


means . . .

In the US, bats have a reputation as being frightening. A conservation group is trying to change that image. The group thinks that bats are feared and oppressed by people mainly because bats are shy animals that come out only at night.

when we say bats are feared

what it means ?

bats are afraid of people

people are afraid of bats

which is correct ?


i am confused with the usage of "feared"

You are looking at a passive construction, Tintin, with the be verb 'are' + the past participle 'feared' - fear feared feared.

Bats are feared by people. = People fear bats.

excellent.

thanks..it helped