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BATS
Bats are protected.
So it is illegal to keep healthy bats and a license is required to handle them.
If you find a bat that is injured or ill, it should be taken to a carer or a vet as soon as possible
FIRST AID FOR BATS
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP DETAILS OF EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS FOUND AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
INITIAL CARE
Grounded bats are in need of care. Expert attention should be sought straight away.
Do not put grounded bats outside without a proper assessment and do not put into a loft, it may be unsuitable.
Like all injured animals it may try to bite so use a towel, thick gloves or a cloth when picking it up.
British bats are small and some people think they have found a baby bat.
Baby bats are born around June-July time. They sometimes become separated from their mums. Baby bats have no fur or very short fur and should be referred to the local bat group immediately.
SHOCK AND DEHYDRATION CAN BE FATAL.
FLUID
It is very important to offer water; on a small, clean paintbrush or cotton bud this may be enough to revive it. It is best not to put a pot of water in with the bat.
FOOD
Bats need to be warm before feeding. Mealworms or wax worms from pet food shops are the best food for bats.
If none are available small chunks of meaty cat food are an alternative.
Bats usually need hand feeding at first. It is best to pass them onto an experienced carer.
RELEASE
If there are no injuries, the bat should be released as soon as possible. This must be at the place it was found and in mild weather at
dusk.
DO NOT THROW THE BAT INTO THE AIR, ENSURE IT IS WARM AND PLACE INTO THE PALM OF YOUR HAND AND HOLD IT UP, IT SHOULD GO AFTER A FEW MINUTES AFTER SMELLING THE AIR AND
LISTENING FOR BAT CALLS.
TEMPORARY HOUSING
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Place the bat into a small, secure container, with no gaps bigger then 5mm.
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Line the container with kitchen roll or a soft cloth, for the bat to hang from.
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Make sure there are adequate air-holes.
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Keep the bat in a warm place, where it can use all its energy for recovery. A dark airing cupboard is ideal.
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Handle the bat as little as possible, and keep it somewhere quiet.
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Do not expose it to extremes of temperature.
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Do not keep moving it.
INFORMATION ON LOCAL BAT GROUPS
The Bat Conservation Trust
15 Cloisters House
8 Battersea Park Road
London
SW8 4BG
Tel 020 7627 2629
Fax 020 7627 2628
Email enquires@bats.org.uk
VOLUNTARY
RESCUE CENTRE FOR BIRDS & WILDLIFE
141 WOODSEATS ROAD
SHEFFIELD
TEL 01142 55 78 24
MOBILE 07860 808179
EMAIL
voluntaryrescue@yahoo.co.uk
Cheques
payable to - Midgely Bird Rescue
Website
created by
Tina Bell
as part of the Sheffield
Community Information project
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