Before and after: Tall shoreline growth hides Lake of the Isles along much of the lakeshore path, while cut-back stretches open the view to the water. Good for wildlife, but
what about the people who come to see the lake? (Images: Mike Erlandson)
Thank You for “October”
I’m writing to express how much I enjoyed Megan Bacigalupo’s letter to the editor in the October issue! I saw the picture of the beautiful woman and was curious what would follow.
It was such a lovely description of the beauty of our changing seasons, always knowing October will return next fall.
Thank you, Megan!
Carolyn Hartwigsen
Edina
In Defense of Bats
I had to reread your story “How Not to Deal With a Bat.” The “Not” quickly gave way to eight steps for annihilating an animal intruding on a home that seriously needs maintenance. And it was juxtaposed with an article saving inch-long turtles.
Here are my tried-and-true solutions for bats:
Step 2: If the bat is reluctant, gently use a soft broom to nudge it toward the window. If it is lethargic and falls to the ground, it is likely starving, young or sick. Place a box over the animal and a shovel underneath it. Place the box outside. Call the Wildlife Rehab Center in Roseville for guidelines. As with all wild animals, don’t handle it unless you are a professional. And yes, fire Andy from Animal Control for even suggesting a “stomping” fee.
Step 1: Open the window and close the door where the bat is located. This works the majority of the time. It works better at night. Be patient.
Step 3: Educate yourself on bats, and not just for Halloween. We have seven species of bats, and four of them hibernate in Minnesota. Ten years ago, a devastating fungal disease was inadvertently brought to Minnesota. The fungus thrives in the dark, cool caves that house dormant wintering bats. It has caused catastrophic population declines of up to 90%. Bats need our help, not Static Guard and tennis rackets.
Bats are the only flying mammals and are not related to rodents. Their sophisticated echolocation skills are extremely beneficial. They can locate and catch 500 mosquitoes an hour. Being inside a home is their last choice.
Bats are a maligned species that have suffered from myths and ole husband tales. Not unlike another animal: the wolf. I have spent the last 35 years studying wolves and humans.
Your monthly column on torturing bats brought to mind the dismembering, poisoning and slaughtering of wolves. Two years ago, a man shot a wolf, but the injury wasn’t fatal, so he muzzled it and took it to his local bar. Once his feigned bravery was sated, he took it out back and shot it.
I know it’s a hard sell to stay calm while a bat dips and dives over your head. Hysteria will not serve you or the bat.
So please seal up your home and try, really try, to appreciate the remnant population of bats. Maybe a little less mosquito scratching will convince you too.
Nancy Gibson
Co-founder, International Wolf Center
St. Louis Park
Bring Back the Median
Regarding last month’s article “Uptown’s Worst Block Gets a Do-Over,” the same brain trust at Minneapolis Public Works also decided to remove the median at the corner of West 31st Street and East Bde Maka Ska Parkway, and now traffic volume has measurably increased and left turns and U-turns are happening all the time. Residents along the parkway are enduring increased pollution and noise.
The Park Board has done zilch about this problem.
Replacing the median would be a great start to ameliorating this problem, along with speed bumps and traffic restrictions.
Richard H. Charlson
East Bde Maka Ska
