Found A Bat?

  • Flying-fox entangled in fruit tree netting
    Caught in fruit netting
  • Capturing a flying fox on an electricity power line
    Electrocuted on power lines
  • Bat caught in barbed wire
    Trapped on barbed wire
  • Flying-fox caught on barbed wire
    Trapped on barbed wire
  • Found a bat caught in cocos palm flower sheath
    A Flying-fox caught up in cocos palm sheath

If you have found a bat in an odd situation, immediately phone your nearest wildlife service or animal welfare organisation. It will need an urgent rescue.

While we welcome all general questions and enquiries, please do NOT email us for any urgent assistance or rescue advice.  

What To Do First?

  • A dehydrated Flying-fox on the ground, with a head injury after flying into a wall in a storm
    On the ground in a backyard
  • A Black Flying-fox in a palm in a suburban back yard with unknown injury.
    Trapped and injured in a backyard palm
  • A dehydrated Flying-fox on hot concrete in a backyard, with a head injury after flying into a wall in a storm.
    On the ground in a backyard after a storm
  • An injured bat on the ground or hanging alone during the day is NOT normal behaviour. It needs to be rescued.
  • A bat caught on barbed wire, hanging on powerlines or entangled in fruit netting is an EMERGENCY 
  • Immediately call your nearest wildlife service or animal welfare organisation (see our Emergency Contact numbers). They will advise you on the next steps to take.
  • DO NOT TOUCH IT.
  • Keep children and domestic pets away. They can scare it or endanger others.
  • Keep the bat in continuous line of sight in case it may attempt to get away.
  • If on the ground, gently place a box or container over it to prevent it crawling up a tree, for example.
  • Or on a hot day try to shade or cover it with a lightweight damp towel.
  • Stay with the animal until help arrives.

DID You Get Scratched Or Bitten?

A very small percentage of bats may carry a rabies-related virus (Lyssavirus). But it can only be transmitted to humans through a scratch or a bite.

Any injured or frightened wild animal may show varying degrees of defensive ‘aggression’ and could attempt to bite you. 

And a bat’s claws are needle sharp for gripping branches with. It is very easy to get scratched if you attempt to touch or catch it. 

  • A Black Flying-fox panting on a hot day
  • A Little-red Flying-fox (barb wire rescue)

Remember: “NO TOUCH, NO HARM”

But if you are accidentally bitten or scratched, it is essential that you immediately seek the help of a specialised wildlife service. They have trained and vaccinated rescuers available to give you advice and help.

You may also wish to visit your Doctor for further assistance.

For further information about Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV):

Go to Queensland Government of Environment and Science (updated 18 Sept. 2020).