Rare species of bat discovered in World War II Shelters
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A roosting site for a rare species of Mouse-Eared bats has been discovered in Gozo, in what is thought to be a long forgotten complex of World War II shelters. The discovery was made during excavations at a permitted development. MEPA is to issue an Emergency Conservation Order and the location of the site is not being publicised in line with LN116/05 which provides for such information to be withheld when a habitat containing a rare species may be threatened.
Naturalists at MEPA said that the Mouse-Eared bats have colonised the underground complex due to it being protected from human-related disturbance. Bats are notoriously sensitive to such disturbance and seek the quietest and most secluded places for roosting.
All bat species in the Maltese Islands are protected under the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2006 (LN 311/06), as well as in Europe, through the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora and a number international treaties established by the Council of Europe and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The rock-cut complex constitutes an elaborate and extensive system of chambers, with a general layout that is indicative of a World War II shelter complex. Some features observed in these chambers are also characteristic of catacombs, however the original use of the feature cannot be assessed with certainty at this stage. The rock-cut complex is considered to be of significant cultural heritage value. In this regard the site is deemed to qualify as a Class B archaeological site as per Structure Plan Policy ARC 2.
MEPA will continue monitoring the site to evaluate what further actions may need to be taken.
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Where is this ‘permitted’ development, I wonder.
And (important Gozitan question): who is/are the developers?
This way we can know whether this habitat will be safeguarded or not.