Wildlife Protection

Keeping It Simple: Easy Ways to Help Wildlife Along Roads

Not trimming palm fronds saves baby bats

Sometimes not doing a particular thing is the best way to protect wildlife species or wildlife habitat. The Texas Department of Transportation is protecting baby southern yellow bats by not trimming palm fronds inhabited by the threatened species. The southern yellow bat likes to nest on Sabal and Washington palms - palms found along US 77, 83, and 281 in Cameron County, Texas. When the fronds on these palm trees are about to die, they hug the tree, creating the dark habitat bats prefer. The palms also house insects, which the bats eat. Leaving fronds with nesting bats untrimmed keeps the young bat families safe - and the trimming of other palm fronds nearby does not disturb them.

--Apr 25, 2003

Juan Alcazar, (956) 702-6182 or jalcazar@dot.state.tx.us

Southern yellow bat

Along Roads - Texas