Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Many residents of Austin, Texas, spent part of Labor Day weekend celebrating what is believed to be the world's largest colony of city bats. Thousands of the flying mammals live under the Congress Avenue Bridge from March to October. Most are females who give birth under the bridge and raise their young there. Advertisement While the two-day Austin Bat Fest featured pony rides, a Corvette tricked out as the Batmobile and a spotlight with the bat signal, the festival also had a serious purpose, the Austin American-Statesman reported. "We want people to be familiar with the bats so they won't be scared and will lose some of their misconceptions," said Sarah Gerichten, an organizer for Bat Conversation, which gets the proceeds from the festival. Thousands of bats leave the bridge as night falls, seeking insects for dinner.
