bat link

Bats and their roosts are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994. The bats are protected from any disturbance and the roost site is also protected from being damaged or blocked, even when the bats are not present. If any problem is experienced with bats, or work is planned in a building that could disturb bats or affect the roosting place, English Nature must be consulted and allowed time to advise. FPCR acts as an agent in this respect for English Nature. You will be given the best advice on solving the problem so the least disturbance happens to the bats, and the roost owners are disrupted as little as possible. You can contact our office on 01509 672772 or e-mail on mail@fpcr.co.uk

Bats are protected and a licence is needed to handle them. However, anyone who finds a bat that is obviously ill or injured may take care of it in whatever way is most humane and practical with the objective of its rehabilitation to the wild. If it is obviously seriously ill, your local vet or bat group will be able to give advice. Always use gloves when touching a bat, never use bare hands.

Your local Bat Group may be experienced in the care of grounded bats and so can help practically, and will be glad of the records of these rare species. Alternatively you could call the Bat Conservation Trust Helpline, which is open from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday on 0845 1300 228 (www.bats.org.uk). They have details of local bat groups, too.

In 2002 a Scottish bat worker died from rabies, which was thought to have been contracted from the bite of an infected Daubenton's bat. It is extremely unlikely that occasional contact with bats could lead to infection from rabies, as only a very small percentage of bats have been found to have contracted the disease. However, care should always be taken with wild animals and it is always best to wear gloves when handling any small mammal.