School Working To Expel Bats

CHEROKEE, Okla. (AP) -- State health officials say an infestation of bats in parts of a northwestern Oklahoma school poses little health risks to students and staff.<br/><br/>A wildlife removal expert

Saturday, September 15th 2007, 2:40 pm

By: News On 6

CHEROKEE, Okla. (AP) -- State health officials say an infestation of bats in parts of a northwestern Oklahoma school poses little health risks to students and staff.

A wildlife removal expert has found hundreds of bats in the auditorium of Cherokee High School.

Dr. Kristy Bradley, state epidemiologist for the Oklahoma Health Department, says the health risk is primarily with the contractors who will remove the guano after the bats are gone.

Officials say the bats' removal will involve relocation, not extermination. When the bats make their nightly mass exodus in search of bugs, possibly as early as next week, a wildlife removal crew will seal the school so they can't return.

The bats will be directed into four bat houses, each capable of housing 300.