"I've found a bat,
what should I do?"
Pop on a mask and gloves before you attempt to move the bat.
Place the bat in a small container with holes.
Bats can escape through any holes that are the same size as the width of your little finger, so make sure they can't escape through any tiny holes.
A shoe box is ideal. Other suitable containers include an empty plastic takeaway box with air holes, or even a sock.
Handling the bat directly is not necessary.
STEP
1
The bat can be contained like a spider, by placing a box on top of it and sliding a piece of card underneath.
Alternatively use a cloth or tea towel, cover the bat and gently transfer them into the box.
Place a cloth, such as a tea towel, in the box to give the bat somewhere to hide.
Horseshoe bats are different and must be able to hang freely perhaps using the air holes or the end the box. You may also wedge a wooden stick /cocktail stick in. They are unable to crawl along the ground so make sure that there are towels right next to the water bowl so that they can climb down to drink.
STEP
2
Provide a small shallow container of water. A plastic milk bottle lid is ideal, fill this only half full. Water should be removed during transport as the bowl may tip over drenching the bat.
STEP
3
Keep the bat indoors in a cool, quiet place away from direct sunlight, animals and small children. Feeding isn't necessary.
STEP
4
STEP
5
Ring the Bat helpline:
The Bat Conservation Trust on 0345 130 0228
Get in contact with an out of hours person look on the website www.bats.org.uk
In the winter there is no out of hours helpline, so please ring BCT in the morning or take the bat to a local vets (if out of hours).
Please note BCT are giving no-release advice and that the bat should be contained and passed to a carer EVEN if the bat is flying strongly and looks otherwise healthy.
PLEASE BE AWARE
If you cannot get help within 24 hours or if it requires urgent medical attention then take the bat to a local vet.
Inform the vet they can obtain further information from The Bat Conservation Trust.