Bat

Have you found a bat?
Here's what you can do:

Bat in house, still flying around
Don't try to catch it! When you try to catch a flying bat, you will often injure it:
- Open the windows/doors wide. The animal will generally find its way out on its own.
- If not, the bat will eventually find somewhere on its own where it can perch upside down to rest.
Bat in house, hanging motionless
- Open the window all the way and close the room. The bat will fly away through the window at dusk.
- What if this doesn’t work? Try to catch it: put on gloves, find a shoe box or something similar and approach the bat slowly. Carefully place the box over the bat and slowly slide a piece of cardboard behind it, so that the bat is trapped in the box. If the bat is still healthy you can safely release it outside by putting the box down and taking the lid off. The bat will eventually fly away on its own.
Injured bat
If you find an injured bat, you should contact the animal ambulance: +31 (0)651697115.
Don't jump to conclusions though, a bat can reduce its body temperature when resting (also when hibernating). In this state, a bat reacts very slowly or not at all. It takes a while before it can react. Put the bat temporarily in a shoe box and place an old rag inside. Cut some small air holes measuring no more than ½ centimetre in the box.

Note: never pick up a bat with your bare hands, use a cloth or wear gloves!
If you do get bitten by a bat, contact your GP as soon as possible (within 24 hours)!

Bird sanctuary address
Vogelasiel De Paddestoel
Jan Verfailleweg 620A
1783 BW Den Helder
Telephone: +31 (0)223 - 62 05 86 or +31 (0)657072575 (after closing time)

< back to overview