You can meet a bat not only in flight at night. Sometimes these animals are found on the ground, on sidewalks, on the walls of buildings, on trees or even in the middle of the road. When you see a small bat sitting or lying motionless, it is hard to tell right away whether it needs help.

Not every bat you come across needs rescuing. But there are situations when leaving the animal without help is dangerous.

How do you tell that a bat needs help?

Healthy bats usually rest in protected places and fly out to hunt at dusk and at night. If you notice a bat in an open area, first of all pay attention to its condition and where it is.

Signs that help may be needed:

• The bat is lying on the ground. This is an unusual and dangerous position for these animals. On the ground they become easy prey for predators and may be unable to take off on their own.
• Visible injuries. Bleeding, damaged wings, an unnatural position of the limbs or other wounds.
• The animal is weak. It barely moves, reacts poorly to stimuli or cannot hold on to a surface properly.
• The bat is in a dangerous place. For example, on a roadway, on a busy sidewalk or where cats or dogs can reach it.
• The bat has been in contact with a cat. Even if there are no external injuries, the animal may have hidden damage that needs treatment.

Bats that are found during the day deserve separate attention. Daytime activity does not always mean illness, but if the animal is in an open place, looks exhausted or does not try to hide, its condition should be assessed.

What should you do if you find a bat on the ground?

If a bat is lying on the ground, do not leave it there. Even without visible injuries it may be weakened or in danger.

1. Put on thick gloves.

Do not pick up a bat with bare hands. The animal may bite while trying to protect itself.

2. Carefully pick up the bat.

Gently take it with your gloved hands. Do not squeeze its body, pull on its wings or try to spread them.

3. Prepare a box.

Use a small cardboard box with tiny ventilation holes and a secure lid. Put a piece of soft fabric without long threads or loops on the bottom.

4. Provide calm.

Put the box in a quiet place away from children, pets, direct sunlight and strong sources of heat.

5. Ask for help.

Contact Home of Rescued Animals, describe the circumstances of the find and, if possible, send a photo or video. We will help you assess the situation and decide what to do next.

Do not try to feed, give water to or treat the bat yourself. Improper help can make its condition worse.

What if the bat is sitting on a wall or a tree?

Sometimes bats can be seen on the walls of buildings, tree trunks and other vertical surfaces. This does not always mean that the animal is injured.

Bats may stop temporarily to rest during their night movements. If the animal holds on firmly to the surface, has no visible injuries and is in a safe place, there is no need to touch it.

However, if the bat is sitting very low, almost at ground level, is in direct sunlight, in a place with a lot of human traffic or looks weak, it is better to ask for advice.

Do not try to check whether the bat can fly by tossing it into the air. This can lead to a fall and additional injuries.

Why shouldn't you release a found bat on your own?

Even if a bat moves actively and at first glance looks healthy, this does not guarantee that it has no injuries or exhaustion.

In addition, different species of bats have their own behavioral features, and whether it is safe to return the animal to the wild depends on its condition, the weather and the place where it was found.

So if you picked up a bat from the ground or rescued it from a dangerous situation, do not rush to release it yourself. First get advice on its condition.

Where to ask for help?

If you found a bat on the ground, noticed injuries or see that the animal is in danger, contact Home of Rescued Animals.

Our team rescues wild animals and can help determine whether a bat needs intervention. If possible, send a photo or video and tell us the exact place where it was found.

Remember: the best help for a wild animal is the help it really needs. Sometimes it is enough not to disturb the bat, and sometimes timely intervention can save its life.