Mediterrainian bat entered the Wild Animals Rescue Center

This Kuhl’s pipistrelle is a second one of the little brown bats family (Pipistrellus spp.) entering the Center within 10 days, without any injuries.

Bats that are found in Bulgaria in winter hibernate or fall in winter sleep. The cause is that in winter the quantity of insects on which they feed is very insufficient in order to cover the energy loss from flying in the cold air. In this state the bats are “benumbed” – with lowered body temperature and slowed down pulse – motionless or slowly moving. It happens often that people find bats in this state and decide that they are injured, dying or totally exhausted.

In case you come across a motionless or slowly moving bat during the cold months you can observe it carefully (do not touch active bats with a bare hand as they can bite you with their small teeth). If you don’t see any injuries, such as broken bones, haemorrhages, and if the bat does not seem too lean (with sunken stomach), perhaps, it is simply asleep. Leave the bat on the terrace or the roof in an open from the side cardboard or wooden box on a place that is inaccessible to cats and dogs and wait for several days. Probably it will leave the place and will look for another refuge. In case it remains motionless you can “warm” it in your hands or in a warm room and after it becomes active you can leave it outside when it is dark.

For additional information:
Elena Tilova – Green Balkans
mobile: 0887 574699, e-mail: etilova@greenbalkans.org

Translation: Prolet Ilieva