TEMPLE (August 31, 2009)—Temple High School football fans are having to learn to coexist this year with a growing colony of Mexican free-tail bats that have been using Wildcat Stadium as a summer roost since 1997.

The population of the colony has grown to the point that the bats have become a concern for school officials who plan to take steps after the bats head south for winter to keep the flying mammals from taking up residence again next year, the district said Monday.

Officials say it would be counterproductive to try to flush the bats out and relocate them now, however.

“The large number of bats “in residence” would be displaced and disoriented,” the district said in a press release Monday.

“Seeking shelter, they would relocate to district campuses, area businesses and private homes. This would increase the potential for human contact,” the district said.

The district is in frequent contact with Bat Conservation International whose experts are providing guidance on how to handle the protected species.

“The Bat Conservation organization is aware of the “fear factor” of bats but assures us the actual health risk to patrons is minimal,” the district said.

Officials are taking additional precautions in concession stands, where only bottled water and soft drinks will be sold and all food and hot beverages will be sold in closed containers to minimize the risk of contamination.

Crews are hosing down the stadium at least once a week to wash away the droppings.

After the bats migrate for the winter, any animals that remain will be relocated.

Then the district plans to seal up nesting areas and then will take steps if necessary to prevent any bats that return next year after the winter migration from taking up residence in the stadium.