Electrocution

Bats and Electrocution  (PDF, 220k)

Flying-foxes have a large wingspan (over 1 metre), but they are also excellent climbers using the clawed thumbs on the wrists of their wings.  They will generally climb to move about in a tree once they have landed.

Unfortunately this gets them into trouble on overhead power lines.  To a tired bat, the power lines look like a nice open branch to rest on.  Usually they will be electrocuted when they reach for the next “branch”.

During October to December it is often the female bats that stop to rest on the power lines, because they are either carrying their baby (extra weight) or tired from having to look after two.

If you see a bat hanging on a powerline by itself during the day, it is either seriously injured or dead. In either case, please always be on the lookout for a baby as they often survive the electrocution and can live for up to four days clinging to their mother. If there are any signs of life for the adult and/or baby, please call the rescue line immediately, and note the street address and if possible the power pole numbers.

Energex do a wonderful job of assisting bat carers to retrieve bats from power lines, and many orphans have been named after the brave Energex worker who helped save them.

 

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Please, be humane and call the Rescue Line as soon as possible – 0488 228 134

 

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If an injured adult or orphan is left on the lines, it will often attract other bats. The following photograph shows a row of dead bats which collected after one survived being electrocuted.

 

This following story and photographs from one of our members is just one of many, unfortunately.

According to the caller who reported it, this bat hung on the lines all day Saturday after being electrocuted the night before.  The electricity had blown off both of his wrists and forearms but because the wounds were cauterised he wasn’t going to bleed to death.   It was stormy on Saturday night and at some stage the poor thing was knocked to the ground. Still alive, he managed to climb (don’t know how) into a bush and was hanging about knee height when I arrived. Luckily there was a vaccinated vet in the area willing to euthanase him. Poor boy put up a fight, was gassed down thankfully, then his suffering was ended.