Endangered Bat found in FL

[Batgirl]

http://www.news-press.com/article/20100 ... in-Collier

Endangered bat found in Collier

1:10 A.M. — The endangered bonneted bat has been found residing in the Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported Wednesday.

The rare bat find was the result of the first bat monitoring program held in Picayune Strand by the Division of Forestry and the commission.

Florida is home to 13 native bat species. The bonneted bat is Florida's largest, with a wingspan up to 21 inches.

"The find of the bonneted bat is significant because there are only a few hundred bonneted bats in existence," said commission biologist and project leader Kathleen Smith.

Bats have lost a significant amount of habitat due to development, Smith said.

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Only a few hundred bonneted bats are known to exist.