DNR and La Crosse Parks department to build bat houses as rising Mississippi levels threaten their habitat

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- An endangered species home in Pettibone Park is in jeopardy, and local agencies are stepping up to help.

Rising Mississippi levels threaten the habitat of the little brown bats living under the bridge at Pettibone.

To give them a new place to live, the La Crosse Parks, Recreation and Forestry department is teaming up with the DNR to build specialized bat houses at the park.

"With the high waters we've recently had, we noticed it was getting awfully close to where they are residing. [The DNR] approached us with the idea of a locating bat house within Pettibone Park to give them an alternate location when water does get a little high, so they have an easier time finding alternate housing," said Outdoor Coordination Director Sami Meyer.

Construction of the new bat house is expected to begin this fall when river levels stabilize.

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