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by Julie_Kim from Philadelphia

Last Post 17 days, 9 hours Ago


Batman in Kutztown
Jul 16, 2008 | 10:30 PM
Category: News
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Featured On: MyFoxPhilly

Not that kind of Batman with a cape and grappling hook but a guy with a bat problem. Tonight, I covered a couple in Kutztown who have more than 150 little brown bats hanging out in their attic. I spoke with them tonight and an expert from Albright College. When you say bats, I think “ugh, rats with wings.”

 

I learned quite a bit tonight, even petting one in Dr. Karen Campbell’s hand. It’s fur was soft and unlike what I was expecting. I guess I was expecting something more reptilian or …gross but bats are actually very interesting, maybe even cute? Ok well, maybe not.

 

They are the superheroes of the ecosystem, consuming up to 3,000 insects a day. The homes where the bats are nesting are right next to a creek. When I stand out in the bright lights at night, I usually get attacked by mosquitoes. What makes it worse, I am severely allergic to DEET. But tonight, I had no problem, no insect bites at ALL!! WOW.

 

I’m a fan. Although I still think they’re a bit creepy.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 10
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electrons read my blog
Jul 17, 2008 | 7:40 AM

Great report. They are blind too. The NAVY at one time was very interested in their built in sonars used to locate insects. They have a very sharp eco-location system that beats any technological systen us humans have ever developed.
oughtm11 read my blog
Jul 17, 2008 | 4:46 PM

Kudos to you for even handling the icky little things!
ibejim read my blog view my photos
Jul 17, 2008 | 8:22 PM

No "bat" video?

No "bat" pics in your album?

The way that they fly, they would be hard to shoot.....With a camera, I mean.
Julie_Kim read my blog view my photos
Jul 17, 2008 | 9:57 PM

Electrons,

The bat expert I talked to says that bats, or at least the little brown bats, aren't blind but they rely on their echolocating at night. She talked a bit about that and it was very fascinating but would have been hard to put in my story.

As for them being icky, I think my face was in a grimace for a bulk of the interview...but then I relaxed when I realized they weren't going to attack me.

Shooting the bats at night was hard. In the attic, they were just huddled on the walls and looked like big splotches of fuzz. Watching one move up the wall, I can see where the vampire movies get the inspiration for movement, it's a weird, awkward grace.
Julie_Kim read my blog view my photos
Jul 17, 2008 | 9:58 PM

Oh, if you want to see the bat video, I shot it with a flip cam and all you have to is type "bats" in the search bar. It'll take you to the story.
Julie_Kim read my blog view my photos
Jul 17, 2008 | 11:44 PM

or cut and paste

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?co
ntentId=6998924
brwc
Jul 18, 2008 | 10:29 AM

Ms Kim-

As a wildlife control professional who deals with bats and other wildife on a daily basis, I was surprised to see your video. You need to make yourself and your viewers aware of the rabies protocol of the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats.html

I would also suggest that you contact your health care provider and see if they recommend that you begin post exposure rabies treatment. Unfortunately, it appears that you relied on some poor advice from your bat "expert" in handling those animals.
-JT- read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 5:39 PM

Julie !

Are you ok ?

Speak to us !

WHAT's for dinner ?

BEEF !

NOT Bats !
Julie_Kim read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 9:10 PM

turkey sandwich.

its whats for dinner. Hey JT, I got to meet an alligator today.
ppd3066 read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 10:54 PM

I'm a man of 59 thankful years and counting. But, to see those bats in the hands of some one. I was always told, never grab or trouch one mainly for the fear of rabies. I saw those little guys nibbling at their fingers. I guess, there are still a little chicken left in the big man. (heh-heh), best to all who touch them, other than me.
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Julie_Kim

Hi, I'm FOX 29 News Reporter Julie Kim.

Member Since: 2/8/2007


 

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