Staffordshire Bat Group
What to do if you find a grounded bat…
Staffordshire Bat Group have a small team of dedicated volunteers who are trained to care for sick and injured bats, before releasing those that can, back into the wild.
Help and advice can be obtained from the Bat Conservation Trust’s Bat Helpline 0345 1300 228
They will provide the number of a local volunteer.
More information can be found via their website www.bats.org.uk.
If the bat is on the ground, on an outside wall, or in an exposed area where it may be vulnerable, it should be contained in a box.
Some species of bats may carry a type of rabies called European Bat Lyssavirus. Bats should therefore always be handled with gloves and for a minimal amount of time to reduce the stress for the bat and to avoid the risk of you being bitten.
How to help the bat……
To contain the bat safely, you will need:
· A box, with holes punched in the lid; please note bats can escape through very small holes!
· A cloth or tea towel for the bat to hide in.
· A plastic bottle cap or similar for a small amount of water for the bat to drink from.
Then you can either:
- cover the bat with a tea towel, carefully scoop it up and place in the box; or
- place a small pot over the bat and gently slide a piece of card underneath and move to your prepared box.
Keep the bat indoors somewhere quiet and dark, out of the way of children and pets.
Whatever the situation the bat is found in, do not try and examine it as this could cause further distress.
If you find a baby bat (these are usually born in June and July) please ring the helpline as soon as you are able for specific advice.
A bat that is grounded and out in the daytime is always a bat in trouble, please do not put them in a ‘safe place’ and hope they will fly away.
If the National Bat Helpline is closed, please take the bat immediately to your nearest vet. (All vets are required to provide an out-of-hours service, so if your local vet is shut, please check their website or ring their number and listen to their recorded message for information on out-of-hours care.)
Bat Conservation Trust Bat Help Line 0345 1300 228