Rescue of Bat Pups in Golden Gate Neighborhood

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has rescued a colony of more than 100 bat pups discovered beneath a palm frond in a Golden Gate neighborhood.

As reported by the conservancy, a local resident found 156 pups on the ground among the leafy debris on July 4.

“We got a call around 2:30 p.m. from someone who noticed a cluster of bats on the ground after stepping outside her house,” Barkley mentioned.

While the specific location wasn’t disclosed, wildlife rehabilitators from the conservancy responded to evaluate the situation.

The pups had fallen from their tree and began huddling together under the palm frond, likely due to recent weather conditions that had displaced them.

It’s important to note that in Florida, bats are considered rabies vectors, meaning they can carry the virus without displaying symptoms and potentially transmit it to humans.

According to Barkley, “We set up separate boxes to sort the healthy from those that might not make it. We took precautions by wearing long sleeves and pants to protect ourselves. Then we each handled the bats one by one, conducting full examinations before placing them in a web box.”

The aim was to return the pups to their mothers quickly, but a thorough injury assessment was necessary for each one.

At the wildlife hospital, a total of 156 Brazilian free-tailed bats were examined. Unfortunately, 11 had severe injuries and needed to be humanely euthanized.

Barkley advised, “It’s always best to call us first before attempting to touch or help. Rabies is transmitted through bites or saliva, so wearing appropriate gear is essential to avoid exposure.”

Once the pups recovered, the conservancy reached out to the Bat World Sanctuary for re-nesting advice. They suggested installing a bat box high in a tree and using a pup catcher to secure any bats that might fall from it.

A Naples lawncare company stepped in to donate an unoccupied bat box to the conservancy, providing a new home for the 145 pups and completing the re-nesting successfully.

The conservancy highlighted the crucial role that bats play in managing the mosquito population, particularly during the hot and humid summer months.