Monument to German reunification faces new setback: bats

Removal and rehoming of rare species is likely to hamper project already beset by delays

For over a decade attempts to build a monument to German unity have been hampered by technical problems, spiralling costs and huge disagreement over its purpose.

The latest hurdle is a colony of 60 rare bats that took up residence in the pedestal of the planned 50-metre-long seesaw steel bowl, which will rock from side to side when people climb on to it.