FLYING-FOXES (MEGABATS)

Adult flying-foxes are the size of a kitten with wings and have a wingspan of up to 1 metre.

Any flying-fox found injured, on the ground or hanging alone during the day is in trouble.

Please call the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE on (08) 8486 1139 if you find a bat in these situations.

A bat found on the ground

If a flying-fox is found on the ground, carefully place a weighted cardboard box or washing basket over the bat without touching the animal. This will prevent the animal from moving away until the rescuer arrives.

Please call the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE.

A bat hanging by itself

A flying-fox hanging by itself during the day is not normal behaviour. The bat may be injured, suffering from extreme heat or cold, disorientated, displaced after severe storms or a juvenile not yet skilled at flying.

Please call the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE.

 A bat found entangled in fruit tree netting

Do not attempt to release the bat by yourself.
Contact the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE immediately for assistance.
It is essential that the bat is taken into care for observation, even if there are no visible injuries at the time.
Keep children and pets away from the bat.

A bat found caught on barbed wire

Do not attempt to remove the bat yourself or cut the bat’s wing membrane to release.

If you can, carefully throw a towel or light garment over the bat to keep it calm. If the weather is hot, dampen the cloth first.

Please call the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE immediately.

Please inform the hotline operator if a ladder is required or if one can be provided on site.

Bat observed hanging on overhead power lines

Please call the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE immediately as the flying-fox may still be alive.

Even if the animal is dead, between the months of September-January, it may be a female with a live young attached under her wing. Fauna Rescue will contact SA Power Networks for their assistance to remove the bat.

Reporting dead animals is also important information in identify regular electrocution sites to help reduce outages by insulating powerlines.

A baby without its mother or on a deceased mother

During the birthing season September-January, babies can become separated from their mothers for a variety of reasons or their mothers can be

electrocuted and the baby survives. These orphans are then bought into care and raised by members of the Fauna Rescue Flying-fox team and released back into the Adelaide Colony.

Please contact the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE immediately if you find a baby flying-fox as it will require immediate care.

MICROBATS

Most microbats are the size of a small mouse with wings and will fit in the palm of your hand. They have a wingspan of about 25cm.

Microbats most often come to your attention when they are seen clinging to a wall during the day, caught by a cat or on sticky fly paper.

Where sugested below, you can call the Fauna Rescue of SA BAT HOTLINE on 08 8486 1139

 

A bat on the ground or wall

The bat may just be exhausted or disorientated, but is in a very vulnerable position. Place a small box or container over any bat on the ground or observe at a distance any bat outside during daylight hours.

Call the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE for advice.

A bat stuck to fly paper

Please do not try to remove the bat yourself, as this will result in further injuries.

Call the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE immediately for a trained and vaccinated rescuer to attend.

A bat caught by a cat

Any animal that has been caught in a cat’s mouth must be treated with antibiotics to prevent any life threatening infection.

Even if the bat appears to be unharmed, please call the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE so that the bat can be assessed and transported to a vaccinated veterinarian for medical attention.

A baby without its mother

All microbats are small, so adults are often mistaken for babies. A baby will often have little or no fur.

Please call the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE immediately for a trained and vaccinated rescuer to collect.

A bat flying around indoors

Close internal doors to contain the bat in one room, turn off any ceiling fans, open windows and door to outside (if there is one) and then turn off all the lights. The bat should then find its way outside.

Keep all pets away.

Call the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE for help or further advice.

A roost that has been disturbed

If you accidentally disturb a roost or you find microbats roosting in the house, please contact the Fauna Rescue BAT HOTLINE for advice.

All species of bats are protected in South Australia.