Found a Bat?

 
 

If you have found an injured or grounded bat or need practical advice regarding bats please contact the national bat helpline on  0345 1300 228

 
We aim to answer all calls to the helpline immediately, but it is a free service run by volunteers and occasionally your call might go to an answer phone. 
We will be in touch as soon as possible so please leave a contact name and telephone number.
 
A grounded bat will almost certainly need help.  If you are awaiting a response and you feel it would be better for the bat to be moved somewhere safe you can help us by following this procedure.
  • Locate a box (a shoe box is ideal) and make sure that it has holes for air, but no gaps big enough for the bat to crawl through (if your finger fits, so does a bat!)
  • Put a small towel or piece of cloth in the box for the bat to shelter in.
  • Wear gloves and then take the box to the bat, carefully encouraging it in with the edge of your gloved hand.
  • (It may be possible to lift the item the bat is resting on, into the box first.)
  • Place the box and the bat in a quiet room, out of reach of pets.
  • Provide water by putting a small container in the box (ideally a plastic milk bottle cap) with a well dampened piece of kitchen roll inside.
  • There is no need to provide food at this stage.

We will be in touch as soon as possible with further guidance or to collect the bat for further care 

 

What should I do if bats roost in my house?

 

If you have any concerns about bats in you house or are planning work which may affect a bat roost please contact the Bat Conservation Trust on 0345 1300 228, who carry out all the licencing checks for Natural England (the licencing body) or check out the websites www.bats.org.uk or www.naturalengland.org.uk for free advice.
 
 
Bats found whilst carrying out development or building work:
 

Initially you should stop work  then contact Bat Conservation Trust on 0345 1300 228 for free advice.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Here a number of brown long-eared bats that were
temporarily in captivity whilst works took place on the
loft that is their roost.  N.B removal of bats from the roost
 was carried out by a licenced bat-worker under guidance
from Natural England.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
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