The Forest of Dean Cave Conservation and Access Group have been working with
English Nature and local land owners to ensure that where openings need to
be grilled these are done so that bats can enter but also those with the
correct authorisation can do so also. Keeping out the vandals doesn't
necessarily make it necessary to keep out ALL people. Its just as well the
mines of the Forest of Dean aren't in Australia!!!
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Colby" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, July 08, 2002 1:46 PM
Subject: People proof bat gates
> People-proof gates to help bats thrive
>
> Engineers in Australia are working on a gate which will allow bats into
disused mines but keep vandals out.
>
> Queensland Parks and Wildlife officers are under pressure to make the old
pits safe and one plan was to have the entrances bulldozed.
>
> But the mines have been colonised by the sheathtail and greater
large-eared horseshoe bats,species which are both at risk.
>
> Any gates would have to be specially designed so the mammals' sonar can
find a way through.
>
> Bats use the old mines as roosting and nursery areas, reports ABC.
>
> Senior conservation officer Bruce Thomson said: "What we're trying to do
is try to identify the sites that are really important for bats, then
develop a cooperative way of making these sites safe so people can't get in
there but the bats have still got continued access."
>
> from http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_624351.html
>
> John
>
>
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