Why you should care about Bat Rehabilitation

Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems worldwide by controlling insect pests, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds. Bat populations now face many threats from habitat loss, climate change, disease and other human-driven pressures. Without coordinated global efforts, bat populations will continue to decline, pushing many species toward extinction.

Why you should care about bats: Bats contribute billions to the global economy. Without bats, agriculture operations would collapse! Bats provide pest control, pollination and seed dispersement for many crops. Bananas, agave and rubber trees are all made possible by bats. Enjoy a margarita? You can thank bats for tequila as they are the main pollinators of the agave plant!

Every bat rehabilitated and released at CWCC contributes to the survival of its species and the fight against extinction.

Tricolored Bat Rehabilitation

Found a bat? Here is what to do if you find a bat and how to get it to a bat rehabilitator

Never touch a bat with bare hands! Although research indicates that less than 0.5% of bat populations carry the rabies virus, it is still very important to remain cautious and never handle these animals with bare hands.

Bats that are grounded and appear uninjured: it is difficult for bats to take off from the ground and they can become grounded at times. Use care and caution to place a thin twig under the bat's feet and gently lift them to the nearest tree. Place them on a branch or the trunk out of the sunlight. If they continue to fall off, they need help. Check back on them in a few hours to make sure they have flown off.

Bats that are injured: Learn how to safely contain a bat here. Do not feed the bat. Note that all of the North Carolina species of bats are insectivorous and will not eat fruit placed with them. Keep the bat in a secure, warm, dark and quiet place and contact a local rehabilitator.

Infant bats: Our rehab experience has shown that infant bats deteriorate extremely quickly in the heat of summer. For this reason, we will only recommend leaving the infant bat for two hours for their mother to return. Only if they appear healthy, they should be left where they are found out of direct sunlight. After two hours or if they do not appear healthy, the baby bat will need to go to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Human Eviction of bats: Bats are state and federally protect wildlife because of their rapidly declining populations. Therefore, it is against the law to harm a bat or roost of bats even if they are in your home or place of business. Bats cannot be evicted from a dwelling during baby bat season from May 1st-August 31st. Follow this link to learn how to humanely evict bats after baby bat season.

Vulnerable Species Saved! Tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) are under federal review to be listed as an endangered species with their population declining by almost 90% due to white nose syndrome.

CWCC successfully rehabilitated and released an adult tricolored bat this year. She was released in the habitat where she was found to further populate her species and contribute to conservation efforts.