Possible Bracken Bat Cave Solution Emerges

Mexican Free-Tail Bats Emerging From the Bracken Bat Cave. Photo by Daniel Spiess/flickr

The fight to save Bracken Cave, home to the world’s largest population of bats, from a nearby housing development seems to have stumbled upon a possible solution.

An agreement in the works that could see Bat Conservation International buy the 1,500 acre property, located 20 minutes outside the city of San Antonio, where a proposed development would have built some 3,800 homes.

Earlier this year, San Antonio developer Brad Galo of Galo Properties proposed Crescent Hills, a massive new subdivision on the 1,500 arce property directly next to the 697 acre cave reserve owned by Bat Conservation International.

When announced, bat conservationists became concerned that the development would put 10,000 people and an estimated 20 million bats in a situation where they would surely come into conflict.

The flight path of the bats takes them directly over the adjacent property, a critical foraging area and part of the sensitive Edwards Aquifer-recharge zone.

Map showing the proposed Crescent Hills Subdivision south of the Bracken Cave Reserve. Map via Bat Con International

If developed, bat conservationists cautioned that adult bats that love buildings will surely cause headaches for any home-owners, while juvenile bats would no doubt be attracted to insects gathering around the lights of these homes. In the end, someone or their pet will surely come into contact with a sick bat, contract rabies and raise problems for the bats, wanting them removed.

The proposed purchase by BCI would ensure the bats would be safe.

We’ll be able to protect the bats and that flight zone when they leave the cave every night. That’ll eliminate the concerns we have with the bat and human interactions that would be going on every night. For me, it’s great news. We’ll still be able to have public tours and the public can take advantage of this wonderful, natural spectacle we have here every night and it will be protected as it should. Fran Hutchins, Bat Conservation International

Although no plans have been finalized and no cost has been discussed, Bat Conservation International is hopeful that a deal can be reached.

The land could one day become a park, with some of it accessible to the public with hike and bike trails.Fran Hutchins, Bat Conservation International

Possible solution to protect millions of bats [News 4 San Antonio]