Of Bats & Cats

First we will begin with Cats, really Kittens, as they are so adorable. These little guys (we think all are boys) were found in a recent rainstorm ~ hungry, wet and crying a couple of weeks ago. As you can see they are all fluffy, fed and happy now. One sibling has already been adopted and we believe that the others are now on track to a forever home.

But there are so many precious little ones needing homes, so please consider checking with your nearest animal shelter or rescue group to adopt a new friend/companion.

Precious Kittens Rescued from a Recent Rainstorm in Texas

Next is another adorable animal also needing a forever home...the Bats of Texas A&M University. 

Homeless Mexican Free-Tailed Bats at Texas A&M University

Basically, as Texas A&M grew and aged, it needed a new Stadium for their great team. The problem is that for the past 80+ years, the Stadium/Kyle Field has also been the home for thousands of these bats...who are really great for the environment and not usually harmful to humans. They eat many times their weight in insects/mosquitos, pollinate flowers, etc., which helps people as well as local agriculture. The University was thoughtful in waiting to tear down the old Stadium until the bats flew south to Mexico for the winter. But recently when they returned, they were confused and took up residence in the Natatorium/pool, dorms, etc. Hundreds have died and there is no place on campus to house all of them.

The University of Florida had a similar problem and built structures for the Bats. Perhaps the architectural and engineering students at A&M could design eco-friendly complexes for the little mammals, and perhaps some of the scientific studies students could set up a 'Bat Whisperer' Sonar system in the rural areas near by that would have sustainable habitat for the bats. Find the niches, then call them, like ET phone home, to come to the new environment! Have snacks (the right kind of insects and flowers)!

Surely this is a solvable problem, and can become a win-win scenario for Bats, Humans and the Environment! 

For those who feel a call to action within, here is an article on the little furry creatures, as well as a petition site to try to help:

Without Stadium Home, Bats Invade Texas A&M Buildings

A Petition on Change.org

From a friend: Australian bat friends are trying to save Cliefden Caves in Australia and a bat colony that resides in one of the caves: They are building a dam and they will all be underwater and it might kill the bats and or where do they go.  Another 250.000 or more bats homeless.  6 million bats have died since 2006 and if we do not change our ways we are going to pay a huge price.  There is not going to be much of a future for the next generations. 

Missouri scientists have found a way to cure the white nose syndrome (affecting so many bats).  They took 150 sick bats and actually cured them!  They released some chemical into the air that killed the fungus!  Too cool.  So hopefully we are closer to saving some of the bats with this disease.  I shall continue to say small prayers for the bats and look for a bat whisperer or the Pied Piper of Bats.

In summary, we must all do our parts to help preserve our environment and to help others in the animal kingdom survive, live as well as possible.

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As an added twist, long ago a cute stray kitty came to our driveway, rolled over and let us rub her belly. It was my birthday. My husband, said, Oh $&!#! Little Kitty soon had 7 babies that needed homes. The lady who recently found the cute ginger kitties adopted one of Little Kitty's kittens back then. We also worked together in a beautiful building with full windows. While she was on a computer one weekend, she was startled by a loud noise and motion. She ran outside as a little bat had flown into the window. She tried to pick him up, but he sort of hissed at her...then did manage to fly away. So we come full circle cats to bats to cats to bats!

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We also know that our many Aggie Alumni in our family would expect A&M and the Twelfth Man Spirit to solve this problem quickly and well! It could serve as a model for other similar ecological challenges.  Thank you.

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Intriguing Addendum from National Geographic:

Why Female Vampire Bats Donate Blood to Friends - Sort of Facebook Survivor Protocol

"Bats use a complex social calculus when they share regurgitated meals, a new study suggests." They ensure the survival of fellow colony females, especially, by sharing food when another bat did not get any meal that night. They can go only two nights without eating before they starve. They also remember who 'friended' them before and sometimes ignore hungry bats who have 'unfriended'/denied them a meal in the past.