Bats taking to new bunkers, after old home, the I-90 bridge, was removed

DNR estimates 400-500 bats in new home near bridge

When the old I-90 bridge was taken down recently near Dresbach, Minn., many families lost their long-time home – families of bats.

So, last fall, the Wisconsin DNR built new bunkers for the creatures, that were using using the bridges.

DNR bat specialist Heather Kaarakka figured, since the bridge was removed, the bats would try to find a new nesting place in the same place, again. And it looks like they’ve taken to their $20,000 “condos.”

“Based on the size of the bunkers that they’re using, and the two of them, we estimate thaat there are 400-500 bats,” Kaarakka said. “We’re going to have a volunteer go up and count the bats as they emerge.”

The condo and bunkers at the bridge site are built to house up to 4,000 bats.

The DNR and transportation experts realized that bats were living inside the old bridge when they discovered an accumulation of bat guano underneath.