NPR: NPR's Pet Bat: AWOL -- or Worse?

NPR's Pet Bat: AWOL -- or Worse?

I'm sorry to report that the little silver-haired bat tucked into a wall in Washington, D.C., has gone missing. Right now, it's a mystery, with people leaning toward one of these two explanations:

1). The bat fled very strong winds (gusts of more than 40 mph) and freezing temperatures that hit D.C. this weekend.

2). Somebody lame did something bad, which resulted in the bat being hurt or forced to leave.

I prefer to think it was the weather, or simply time for a bat-change. But will try to find out if the building staff knows anything.

It's also possible that, with people calling the little critter Luke Burbat, it chose to move on Friday, in a simpatico moment with our own Luke Burbank.

Ed. note: We announced the results of our bat-naming contest on the show today.

Bill Chappell

11:23 AM ET | 12-17-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

This was the end of the story I was concerned about when I made my comment that endearing an animal to the public endangers them. I will allow myself to believe that the bat sensed the approaching storm and left for warmer climes. The can sense the change in atmospheric pressure, like a barometer, and move ahead of the storm. However, I hope that BPP will take this as a cautionary tale about making wild animals "pets". It is dangerous to the animal, and ultimately unsatisfying, because the story usually ends the same way. Respect and admiration for wild animals outweighs endearment any day.

Sent by Peggy Carey | 4:41 PM ET | 12-20-2007

Wait, how many bats are there in DC? Didn't I just hear on Weekend Edition that the bat rehab lady in Northern Virginia has taken the bat away?

Sent by Emily Cavanagh | 5:54 PM ET | 12-22-2007

I guess people in the suburbs should put up bat houses. It looks like she couldn't find an appropriate place to live.

Sent by Lynn | 8:26 PM ET | 12-23-2007

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
May we contact you with information about NPR programming and services? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Host

Alison Stewart

Welcome to 'The Bryant Park Project'

The Bryant Park Project started as a blog in the summer of 2007 and ended as a radio show and online community in July 2008. Read our frequently asked questions and discussion rules.