Weighing the bat, identifying the species and sexing it can help. Legs, thumbs and ability to walk should be assessed. We also recommend that anyone interested in becoming a bat carer trains up with an experienced carer first- phone the Bat Conservation Trust and they can provide you details of your local carers.Įxamine the whole bat for injuries, blowing the fur gently to reveal the skin and gently opening the wings to check for holes, tears and breaks. The RSPCA published a useful overview of how the Act applies to wildlife rehabilitation- go to By following the bat care guidelines published by Bat Conservation Trust you will be seen to be working within the Act. It is intended as a memory aid for people we have trained.Īnyone wanting to be a bat carer should be aware of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The following advice is based on Avon Bat Group carers' experiences and information from other sources such as Bat World and Maggie Brown, West Yorkshire Bat Hospital. This will be impossible for some bats - but they then become part of Jenny`s team of educators - giving members of the public the opportunity to encounter bats and to learn more about the importance of bat conservation. When each bat is fit and well and has reached ideal weight, it must then pass the `flying test` - assessed for skills, stamina and attitude - before it can be successfully released back into the wild. Jenny introduces us to some of her rescued bats - Noctule, Whiskered, Common Pipistrelle and Brown Long-Eared - and explains how she must first carry out an all-round health check on each one, including looking for and treating any injuries. Here Jenny Clark MBE, founder of the Sussex Bat Hospital and dedicated bat conservationist and wildlife educator, shares her expertise and passion for her work in caring for grounded and injured bats. This is the same family as Rabies and has to be treated the same way- for more information visit If scratched or bitten medical advice must be sought due to the slight risk of European Lyssavirus. If possible offer water on a clean paintbrush or tissue paper dripped on mouth. If you cannot pick up the bat, the container can be placed over it to avoid escape. A small container of water, such as a lid from a milk bottle should be placed in with the bat and the box left in a quiet safe place away from children and animals. This can be used to help pick up the bat. Without directly handling the bat, place gently into a container such as a shoe box, with air holes (put these in before the bat!) lined with an old t-shirt, towel or other similar clean material. Please do not put the bat outside at dusk without having talked to a bat carer or vet- it may be hiding injuries, be dehydrated, sick, or a pup which has come out of the roost too early and can not fly yet. Often the injuries are to the wings and you can only see them when the wing is open. The same applies if a cat catches a bat- even a small wound from a cat can lead to a fatal infection without treatment. If a bat is found out during the day it needs help and to be assessed before release to ensure it is ok. If the phone line is closed out-of -hours contacts may be available on their website.īat care - equipment, kit, food and suggestions They will put you in touch with a local volunteer carer to offer advice and, where possible, take the bat into care for you, although not all our carers may drive. Bat Care IF YOU HAVE FOUND A GROUNDED OR INJURED BAT PLEASE CONTACT THE BAT CONSERVATION TRUST: 0345 1300 228
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