Nature Features

About 25 years ago my husband brought home an injured bat. We cared for the little bat that came in and we managed to release it. We become interested and joined our local bat group to learn more about them. Then we informed the RSPCA that if they had any phone calls regarding bats in trouble that we would be happy to help. So, things started in a very small way and over the years it has grown and grown.

They are very misunderstood creatures. And I felt that it was so unfair that they had such a bad reputation. They needed someone to fight their corner. The more I learnt about bats, the more I discovered that they are gentle, friendly, non-aggressive and absolutely fascinating. Every bat is completely different. And they certainly needed help.

Bat rescue

The main thing I do is rescue bats that are in trouble. I try and make them better, get them fit and well and return them back to where they came from.

I learnt the skills bit by bit, through trial and error, and by doing it for a long time. By observation and examination it is invariably apparent what the problem is. You have to be exceedingly gentle with them and very sensitive to their needs.

In most cases, cat injuries will result in only a tiny minority surviving. A high proportion will be dead on arrival, some will survive the night, but only about 2% will get away with minor injuries such as a tear in their wing membrane. Tears of this nature will take about two months to heal and providing there is no bone damage the bat can fly again. They can only be released into the wild if their flying skills are perfect, so I test fly them in the house. All this distress could be avoided if only cats were kept in at night during the summer!

Another problem is fly paper. Bats become stuck when attempting to grab the captured insect. They also fly into people’s houses by mistake and become exhausted and frightened when attempting to escape.

Bat education

I have 33 long-term bats which are used for education. I do up to three talks a week to schools and to other organisations. I do pre-school up to university level. I take a different group of bats out every day. These bats that fit, healthy and happy but they cannot fly well enough to be released due to previous injury or because they were hand reared. They haven't learned the necessary skills from the mother to cope in the wild.

Education is paramount. Fortunately, we now have over 90 regional bat groups who do a wonderful job. Attitudes to bats have changed immeasurably over the years. At first, it was "How do I get rid of the bat?" Now, it is "How can I help the bat?"

I have stands at agricultural shows and similar public events where I meet hundreds of people who often remark, "I see the shadows but now I would like to see the face." People want to help the bats they have living in their environment; I try to answer their questions and help them in any way. That is very rewarding.

The most satisfying aspect of all this is to release the bat back into the wild. It is a wonderful, wonderful moment. I may have had the bat for two months; I go to the place where it was found, warm it up in my hands and release it. The amazing thing is that recognition is almost immediate and it can find its roost even if it is as small as a chipped tile.

Every bat is unique and they're all friendly and sensitive creatures and, yes, of course, I feel attached to them. I wouldn't do this work otherwise. In the busy season two, three or four bats a day are brought to me.  This is my work and my life seven days a week. Why would I stop? They still need a lot of help. My phone doesn't stop ringing. Who else is going to do this?

Bat helpline: 0845 1300 228