Rescue

What to do if you find a bat in trouble!

SEEK HELP – PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH BATS
If a bat bites you, it will have to be destroyed – do not risk its life or your health. Only people trained and vaccinated should handle bats.

If you see a bat hanging on electricity wires or find one caught on a barbed wired fence, in a fruit tree net or on the ground, contact Bat Care Brisbane or RSPCA for advice immediately. If found on the ground please put a container such as a washing basket or cardboard box over it to contain it. Restrain domestic pets and keep children away to minimise stress on the animal.

Any bat on its own during the day, especially if on or near the ground, is in trouble.

Be humane seek help fast!

AUSTRALIAN BAT LYSSAVIRUS (ABL) is rare, not all bats have the virus – less than 0.5% of the population of free-living bats Australia-wide may have the virus.  The virus may be transmitted by a deep bite into nerve tissue or a deep scratch from an infected flying-fox.  Any wild animal in pain or frightened is more likely to bite.

DO NOT TOUCH BATS!
If you are bitten or scratched they must die.

If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 5 minutes. Inform your local doctor as soon as possible. Also please inform the rescuer as the bat will have to be euthanased so it can be tested for ABL. So please do not try to help sick or injured animals yourself.

Call the Bat Care Brisbane Rescue Line on
0488 228 134

An alternative is the RSPCA rescue line, 1300 ANIMAL.

HENDRA can only be contracted from Horses. It is not conclusive that the Bat type Hendra Virus is the same as the Horse type Hendra Virus. It is still unknown where, how or why horses gets Hendra Virus.