MISSION – An energy company is taking steps to protect bats from windmills.

Research shows hundreds of thousands are killed every year. There's new technology to keep this from happening.

The Mexican free-tailed bats fly in the millions at their peak. They’re the state's official flying mammal and they claim spots all over Texas.

In their millions, they will pollinate flowers and grow new plants and keep pests off farmer's crops. This species is also at risk of colliding with a growing industry.

Sarah Weaver, a biologist, is working with Duke Energy at a windfarm in Starr county. They started counting just how many bats were getting hit and killed as the blades continued spinning, and the number was too high.

Weaver explained the idea of developing a device to give off an ultrasonic sound to deter bats from flying near wind turbines. 

Watch the video for the full story.