Bats hanging on a tree in Uhuru gardens. [Photo/ rufford.org]
Residents in Mombasa have raised concern following an invasion of bats at Uhuru gardens.The residents now want the bats, which are locally associated with sorcery and witchcraft, removed from the park.According to the Standard, over 3000 bats have invaded the garden, which is located near the famous elephant tusks along Moi Avenue.The National Museums of Kenya (NMK) assistant director in charge of Coast region Athuman Hussein confirmed that the number of bats in the park has been increasing over years. He, however, said it is the responsibility of the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) to remove the bats from the park.“We do not have a solution to this problem. Locals want them removed but that is actually the work of Kenya Wildlife Service,” said Hussein, as quoted by the local daily.The presence of the bats in the park has continued to elicit mixed reactions among residents, with a section of them claiming that they are a bad omen. Hassan Yawa, a supervisor at Chenda Investment, the company that maintains the park, said that there has been a conflict between residents and tourists over the bats. He noted residents keep on chasing them away by throwing stones at them.“It is a big conflict between the locals and foreign tourists who visit this place. While locals stone them, foreigners marvel and enjoy watching them,” said Yawa.