Jersey Zoo's colony of Livingstone's Bats are being rehomed.
Durrell has announced it is finding new homes for its bats after weighing up the benefits of repairing the 'ageing' Bat Tunnel against creating a new exhibit, which it deems the better choice.
In the wildlife conservation organisation's statement, it estimates that creating a new space for the bats would cost around seven figures.
Ben Matthews, the Zoo's Mammals curator, says:
"We would also need to raise funds, design the new exhibit, get planning permission and build, all of which would take significant time."
More than 70 fruit bats were also moved out of the tunnel, and 10 bats died of Pasteurella, a disease, which was discovered in the zoo in April.
Since then, the colony has been in temporary accommodation and has welcomed new pups.
However, despite developing a world-first vaccine for Pasteurella and delivering the first doses, Jersey Zoo will be moving its fruit bats away.
The zoo says in the statement that it may take many months before homes are found, but its focus remains on ensuring the 'very best welfare' for all its animals.
Mr Matthews, the Zoo's Mammals curator, says:
"As we reach six months of the bats being in temporary accommodation, we are being proactive in finding them new homes.
Associate Veterinary Officer, Dave Houston, says:
"The decision to have the current cohort of bats move on from Jersey Zoo has been a very difficult one to make, but we believe that in the interests of the bats and the continued conservation of the species globally, it is the right thing to do for us."
However, it says that if an opportunity arises in the future, Durrell would like to welcome the bats back to the zoo.
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