Bat World Bat Castle

For well over 50 years, Mexican free-tailed bats have been using older buildings throughout Mineral Wells as roosting sites and as nurseries in which to raise their young. Future planned development in the area has made it no longer feasible or safe for local bats to continue roosting in these older buildings.

The Bat Castle idea was inspired by Bat World’s wild sanctuary, a 100 year-old sandstone building located in Mineral Wells, Texas.  It was designed after noting the roosting preferences of the bats in our wild sanctuary (photo right). The castle will be located on protected land and provide a safe refuge for hundreds of thousands of bats for decades to come.

A generous grant from the Chase Giving Campaign will allow us to begin building the Bat Castle. However, we need donations to complete the project. Donors will receive exclusive video updates on our progress, including the ground breaking, the construction, and future occupants as they move into their new, safe home. To donate to this important project please click here.

PARTICIPATION LEVELS:

  • $5,000 (only 12 available spots): Your name will be etched into one of the wooden roosting beams inside the Bat Castle.
  • $2,500 (only 10 available spots): Your name will be etched into a plate that will be mounted above the stone archways of the Bat Castle.
  •  $1,000  (only 30 available spots): Your name will be etched into a plate that will be mounted below the threshold stone where bat’s enter and exit the Bat Castle.
  • $500: Your name will be etched into a plate that will be mounted on the wall of the Bat Castle in a prominent location.
  • $ 250:  Certificate acknowledging your contribution, plus a tee shirt and a lifetime membership to Bat World.
  • $50 – $100: A certificate acknowledging your contribution and a one-year membership to Bat World.

Bats who will be gently relocated to the Bat Castle in February and March of 2012:

Protected land where the  Bat Castle will be located:

Note: All monies will be directed towards the completion of the Bat Castle first and foremost. Any funds received in excess of the amount needed to complete the Bat Castle will be used towards the construction of the new Bat World facility and teaching hospital, which will be located on the same parcel of land as the Bat Castle.

 Please click here to donate to this important project!