Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Government has published a new action plan on the protection and conservation of a bat species commonly found in the West.
The Lesser Horseshoe Bat is found between Mayo and Co. Cork - with considerable pockets in Galway.
The Lesser horseshoe bat is 1 of 9 bat species found in Ireland, but unlike the other eight species, it has a very limited distribution.
It's found along the west coast, with significant pockets in West and South Galway.
It's distribution is linked with broadleaved and mixed woodland, and it mainly roosts in roofs of old houses or outhouses, stables or old cottages.
Measures under the new action plan include a range of site specific actions, such as building new habitats, predator-proofing, and repair of existing roofs and windows in existing roosts.
There'll also be wide landscaping actions, aimed at improving connectivity between and around roosts, and boosting the availability of suitable foraging areas.
