As the San Francisco Examiner reported on Sunday, a roost of ‘protected’ bats are going to be kicked out of their home in an attic of an old hospital in the Immigration Station section of Angel Island State Park. Usually, any state park would be delighted to claim host to a ‘protected’ species such as the Townsend’s big-eared bats, which were found 18 months ago by a wildlife surveyor. Not Angel Island. Don’t worry, the mini-bats aren’t being slaughtered or anything; they’re just getting the boot. Authorities have to remove the bats before they can start a renovation project on the dilapidated historical building.

So, where are they going and why are they leaving?

Because bats are ugly. And they’re going to Spain!

That was a bad joke. Of course, they’re not ugly (and not going to Spain). Just look at her….

Photo courtesy of Greg Tatarian of Wildlife Research Associates

Annnyyyywayyyy, they’re called Townsend’s big-eared bats and since the species has been in decline recently they’ve been designated as a California special concern species. That plus the fact that the population consists entirely of pregnant females means that the bats can only be humanely evicted. The Park Service is shooting for a March date to get the bats out before they have their pups. They will then seal the attics so there is only one entrance, then install a one-way door so the bats can only depart their home in the eaves. The Park Service is turning an attic in another building, a half-mile away, into a new home for the bats. The only thing is: The bats have to find their way on their own. Unfortunately, the bats may end up finding another home across the bay if they can’t find the cush attic. As Greg Tatarian of Wildlife Research Associates (the surveyor who found the bat) says,

“We’re really hoping they are already aware of other roosts and they’ll take advantage of those. I would have loved to have seen them stay [where they are] because it’s such a rare occurrence to find a maternity roost. But it’s one of those necessary evils - when people want bats out, they’re going to get them out.”

The other question: Why are they being forced out in the first place? The building, the building they called home, is being scheduled for renovation as part of the second phase of the Immigration Station, a 100 year-old historical landmark sometimes referred to as the “Ellis Island of the West”. The bats have to be out before the renovation starts. Hence, the bats removal.