![Lisa 🦔 [Bats in my Belfry]](https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/accounts/avatars/113/574/879/212/674/017/original/56a2cfd10237d96d.jpg "Lisa 🦔 [Bats in my Belfry]")
RE: https://flipping.rocks/@mycrowgirl/117462406517580251
Update on the Bok Tower Gardens bat situation:
tl/dr the many hundreds if not thousands of bats are at this point almost certainly all dead. 💔
My team and I made several site visits from the time we first discovered the situation and alerted the relevant parties to the unfolding tragedy. We documented that the "exclusion" was botched and inhumane, that there were still many bats trapped alive inside, and we continued to document as their vocalisations became fewer and fewer in subsequent days. Every single attempt to offer free and fully qualified expert help to mitigate the disaster we had previously already offered to prevent... was turned away.
When I went yesterday, it was silent.
Bok Tower's leadership did not make a formal statement until 5:30pm yesterday and only posted it to their FB. It was, of course, the expected PR drivel. They also made claims that the bats were actually fine without offering even the smallest bit of evidence. The relevant authorities are uninterested in pursuing the case. News outlets have not yet picked this up, but I have a feeling that the backlash they're getting on their statement might finally draw attention.
We don't have access to directly verify the scope of what remains inside, but we will keep returning and documenting as much as we can. (At least until we're barred from the grounds, which would not surprise me at this point.)
Do any of my central #Florida fedi-friends have a membership or relationship with Bok Tower Gardens by chance? There’s something time sensitive and heinous happening and I could use your support.
Stop reading here if you don’t want details about wildlife in peril.
Tl/dr they had a pest control company “exclude” bats from their historical building, the company botched the job, and hundreds of bats have been trapped in there since Monday 12 Oct, and no relevant authorities are willing to help. There aren’t many left alive at this point, but we have audio from outside that shows there are a few survivors still trapped.
So I’m really hoping I know some members who are willing to let their money talk with some pressure to get them to unseal those exits.
