Ethics

If reuniting the baby with its mother is not possible, next steps should be considered with reference to the following:

  • The options that can be considered are hand-rear for eventual release or euthanasia.
  • Hand-rearing is labour and resource intensive.
  • Hand-reared bats need sufficient time in a flight tent and an outdoor flight cage if they are to gain the skills necessary for release.
  • Limited information is available on the long-term success of releasing hand-reared bats into the wild.
  • Experience has shown that successful rehabilitation and release is more likely with older babies. Those still at stages A, and B and starved babies at stage C may be very difficult to rear to release (see diagram page 10).
  • These individuals can have problems in developing good bone structure and immune systems – euthanasia should be considered for baby bats at these stages.
  • Successful rearing of a baby bat (for release) is acquired through experience and should only be considered by, or in consultation with, an experienced bat rehabilitator.
  • Permanent captivity (for education) should never be the intended outcome when deciding to hand-rear a baby bat.
  • Those considering hand-rearing must have access to the necessary equipment (including flight cages) and be informed of and committed to the requirements of each stage of a baby bat’s rehabilitation as set out below.
  • Euthanasia should be considered in cases where the baby bat has an injury, fails to thrive or where there is no one suitable to hand-rear (see Euthanasia – how to)

Advice should be sought from experienced rehabilitators in any situation where an individual is unsure of the most suitable outcome.