Colony of bats found in zoo shed

A breeding colony of bats has been discovered at Durrell Wildlife.

Members of the Jersey Bat Group found the roost during a survey of one of the zoo's maintenance sheds and counted 49 pipistrelles and one long-eared bat.

The Conservation Trust says the size of the roost suggests the group is a breeding colony.

The Trust say preserving the colony is important because disturbing the creatures could have a big impact on local bat populations.

The Trust says it believes the healthy nature of the plant life and habitat around Lemur Lake, where the bats are believed to feed, is important to the establishment of the colony.