Removal of bat houses in Kruger National Park
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that, following consultation with internal divisions such as tourism operations, scientific and conservation services, it has started a project to remove all bat houses in Kruger National Park. The operation aims to minimise the number of bats that roost inside the National Park's Rest Camps. According to SANParks, the removal of bat houses is starting at Lower Sabie Rest Camp, which is mainly affected by bat influx.
The bat houses provided alternative accommodation for bats and in most cases the bats move onto nearby structures when the bat houses fill up. This is a long-term process as it can be affected by weather conditions such as rainfall events.
Over the years, Lower Sabie Rest Camp has experienced an unpleasant odor of bat droppings and bat noise in some of its buildings including guest accommodation, which led to visitor complaints. SANParks hopes to delicately manage the situation to the satisfaction of both nature and the guests.
SANParks is aware that it is a complicated matter to keep bats out of buildings as they originate from the surrounding natural bush. However various other mechanisms will be explored after the bat houses removal to deter bats from taking up residence in the tourist accommodation units.
